british cameroons: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowAcademic / Historical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “british cameroons” mean?
A former British-controlled territory in West Africa, part of the League of Nations mandate and later United Nations Trust Territory, administered by Britain from 1922 to 1961.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A former British-controlled territory in West Africa, part of the League of Nations mandate and later United Nations Trust Territory, administered by Britain from 1922 to 1961.
The region now forms parts of modern-day Nigeria (Northern Cameroons) and Cameroon (Southern Cameroons), with its colonial history often referenced in historical and political discussions concerning post-colonial boundaries, decolonisation, and reunification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used identically in both varieties, given its specific historical reference.
Connotations
Neutral historical descriptor. Carries connotations of colonialism, partition, and post-colonial state formation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse; frequency is similar and confined to specialist contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “british cameroons” in a Sentence
[The] British Cameroons [VERB]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “british cameroons” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- None. It is only a proper noun.
American English
- None. It is only a proper noun.
adverb
British English
- None.
American English
- None.
adjective
British English
- None. Used attributively in noun phrases: 'British Cameroons administration'.
- The British Cameroons period.
American English
- None. Used attributively in noun phrases: 'British Cameroons policy'.
- British Cameroons history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Frequent in historical texts discussing colonialism and decolonisation in Africa, e.g., 'The 1961 plebiscite in the British Cameroons led to its partition.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in political geography and international law regarding mandates and trust territories.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “british cameroons”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “british cameroons”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “british cameroons”
- Using 'British Cameroon' (singular) for the historical entity.
- Confusing it with the modern Republic of Cameroon.
- Misspelling as 'British Cameroones'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was the part of the former German colony of Kamerun that was placed under British administration as a League of Nations mandate (later a UN Trust Territory) from 1922 to 1961.
Following a 1961 UN-sponsored plebiscite, the Northern Cameroons voted to join Nigeria, and the Southern Cameroons voted to join the former French Cameroon, forming the Federal Republic of Cameroon.
No, it ceased to exist as a political entity in 1961. It now forms parts of modern Nigeria and Cameroon.
The plural form 'Cameroons' was historically used by the British to refer to the territory, possibly deriving from the Portuguese 'Rio dos Camarões' (River of Prawns). The singular 'Cameroon' is used for the modern country.
A former British-controlled territory in West Africa, part of the League of Nations mandate and later United Nations Trust Territory, administered by Britain from 1922 to 1961.
British cameroons is usually academic / historical / formal in register.
British cameroons: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪt.ɪʃ ˈkæm.əˌruːnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪt̬.ɪʃ ˌkæm.əˈrunz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Britain's share of the Cameroons' after Germany lost its colony in WWI.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PIECE OF LAND (as a geopolitical entity, a trust, a mandate).
Practice
Quiz
What was the eventual fate of the British Cameroons?