different between tagati vs pagati

English

Etymology

The term is first recorded in 1836; it derives from the Zulu word umthakathi, being someone who mixes medicine, which itself comes from the Zulu thaka (mix) and muthi (medicine). The term has gradually come to be used to refer only to negative, harmful uses of medicines derived from plants, animals and minerals.

Noun

tagati (uncountable)

1. In South African English, a wizard, witch, or a spiteful person who operates in secret to harm others or who uses poisons and familiar spirits to carry out harmful deeds.

References

• Silva, P., (ed.) 1996. The Oxford Dictionary of South African English, Oxford University Press.

English

Etymology

From Xhosa -phakathi (“council”) or iliphakathi (“chief's councilor”). Compare amapakati. Attested in English from the 19th century.

Noun

pagati (plural pagatis)

1. An adviser to a tribal chief and/or a member of a tribal council in a traditional Nguni society.

See also

• amapakati

References

• “pagati, n.”, in OED Online ?, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2005

Italian

Verb

pagati m

1. plural of pagato