name
Barbary
BAH-buh-ree
name
1
A historical name for the coastal regions of North Africa, once notorious as a base for pirates.
"The novel is set among pirates raiding ships from the Barbary Coast."
How to Use Barbary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe historical name for North Africa's coast, especially famous for the Barbary pirates.
Common pairings
Barbary Coast
Barbary pirates
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The novel is set among pirates raiding ships from the _____ Coast.
Etymology
From "Berber" plus the suffix "-y," likely influenced by the older adjective barbary meaning "barbarian, non-Christian."