kuhani

Swahili

Etymology

From Arabic كُهّان (kuhhān), plural of كاهِن (kāhin, “priest”, especially a non-Christian one). The Biblical use is ultimately based on Biblical Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kôhēn).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

kuhani class V (plural makuhani class VI)

1. (also biblical) priest

Usage notes

• Not used of Catholic or Orthodox priests, who are called kasisi or padre.

Derived terms

• kuhani mkuu (“high priest”)
• ukuhani (“priesthood”)