[tim-buhk-too, tim-buhk-too] 
| 1. | a town in central Mali, W Africa, near the Niger River. 19,500. French, Tombouctou. |
| 2. | any faraway place. |
| Tim·buk·tu (tĭm'bŭk-tōō', tĭm-bŭk'tōō) A city of central Mali near the Niger River northeast of Bamako. Founded in the 11th century by the Tuareg, it became a major trading center (primarily for gold and salt) by the 14th century. Timbuktu was sacked in 1593 by invaders from Morocco and fell to the French in 1894. Population: 32,400. |
A remote town in western Africa. Figuratively, it is a faraway and unknown place.
bʌkˈtu