Amerindians
|Am-er-in-di-ans|
B2
/ˌæməˈrɪndiənz/
(Amerindian)
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Etymology
Etymology Information
'Amerindian' originates from a blend of 'American' and 'Indian', where 'American' refers to the continent and 'Indian' was a term historically used for indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Historical Evolution
'Amerindian' was coined in the 19th century as a more specific term than 'Indian', which was often used ambiguously.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it was used to distinguish indigenous peoples of the Americas from those of India, and this meaning has remained consistent.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially those of North and South America.
The Amerindians have a rich cultural heritage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/13 12:36