gatun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ArchaicHistorical, Regional (South Africa), Literary
Quick answer
What does “gatun” mean?
(noun) A person who smuggles or steals goods, especially cattle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(noun) A person who smuggles or steals goods, especially cattle.
A term originating from 19th-century South Africa, specifically for a cattle thief or rustler operating on the frontier. In historical or literary contexts, can refer to a general thief or smuggler of livestock.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally obscure and unknown in modern general usage in both varieties. It is tied to a specific regional history (South Africa), which was part of the British Empire, making it slightly more likely to appear in historical British texts than American ones.
Connotations
Historical criminality; frontier lawlessness; a specific type of rural theft.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary spoken or written English for both. May be encountered in historical novels or academic papers on South African history.
Grammar
How to Use “gatun” in a Sentence
[The] gatun [verb]...They called him a gatun.He was a gatun of cattle.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gatun” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. Archaic/regional usage only: 'to gatun' meaning to steal cattle.]
American English
- [No standard verb form.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form.]
American English
- [No adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No adjective form.]
American English
- [No adjective form.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or anthropological papers on South Africa.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern legal or agricultural contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gatun”
- Misspelling as 'gattoon' or 'gatton'.
- Using it as a general term for any thief.
- Using it in a modern context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and regionally specific term that is very rarely used in modern English.
It originates from South African English in the 19th century, likely from Afrikaans or local dialect, referring to a cattle thief or smuggler.
It would be highly unusual and confusing. Use more common terms like 'thief', 'robber', or 'rustler' (for livestock) instead.
Not in standard English. Historically, it might have been used as a verb in very specific regional contexts, but it is not recognized in modern dictionaries.
(noun) A person who smuggles or steals goods, especially cattle.
Gatun is usually historical, regional (south africa), literary in register.
Gatun: in British English it is pronounced /ɡəˈtuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡəˈtun/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. Term itself is too rare.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GUN being used by a cattle thief on the frontier - 'ga-TUN' rhymes with 'a gun'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS AN OCCUPATION (a 'gatun' is defined by his illicit 'work').
Practice
Quiz
In what context would you most likely encounter the word 'gatun'?