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Main meanings of morena in English

: morena1morena2

morena1

noun

  • A woman with a dark complexion, especially (in South and Central America) a woman of mixed descent or of African origin.

Pronunciation

morena

/məˈriːnə/ /məˈreɪnə/

Origin

Mid 17th century (in an earlier sense). From Spanish morena, feminine form corresponding to moreno.

Main meanings of morena in English

: morena1morena2

morena2

Pronunciation /məˈreɪnə/

noun

(also marena)
South African

  • Especially among speakers of the Sotho languages: a title of or respectful form of address used to a chief or (more generally) any person in authority. Hence: a chief, a master.

Origin

Mid 19th century; earliest use found in David Livingstone (1813–1873), explorer and missionary. From Southern Sotho morena and its cognates Northern Sotho morena and Tswana morena from mo-, personal class prefix + rena to be rich, be a chief.