Word
mali
Phoneticsmali
/ˈmɑɫi/
Definitions
01a country
n. a large country in West Africa.
n. a landlocked country in West Africa, formerly a French colony.
“Mali is famous for its ancient city of Timbuktu and its rich musical history.”
“The diplomatic mission focused on strengthening trade ties between the European Union and Mali, particularly in the agricultural sector.”
Synonyms
02a gardener
n. a word used in India and South Asia for a gardener.
n. a member of a South Asian caste whose traditional occupation is gardening; used generally for any gardener in the region.
“The mali comes every morning to water the plants in the courtyard.”
“In many Indian households, the mali is responsible for maintaining the complex irrigation needs of the tropical garden during the monsoon season.”
Dialect
Synonyms
04a Somali person
n. a slang word for a Somali person, often used in London.
n. a colloquial and often derogatory or highly informal term for a person of Somali descent.
“The song mentions the diverse community, including the local Malis in the area.”
“Sociolinguists have noted the emergence of 'Mali' within Multicultural London English as a specific ethno-cultural identifier among youth populations.”
Slang · British English
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Islamist militant groups operating from neighbouring Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso have plagued Niger for years, targeting both civilians and the military.” “Mali says 82 of its soldiers held as prisoners by armed groups in the country’s north have been released into the government’s care.” “A Frenchman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mali for plotting an alleged coup in the West African country has now been granted a presidential pardon, it was announced on Thursday.” “Reuters reported in March that Rideout was believed to be held in neighbouring Mali by al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).” Etymology
Inherits its name from the Mali Empire, in turn from Mandinka or Dyula mali (“hippopotamus”).
Clipping of Somali (“a person from Somalia or of Somali descent”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.