Definition

Noun: 1. A member of an indigenous people of northeastern South America and the Lesser Antilles: The term "Carib Indian" refers to an individual belonging to the Carib people, a group of American Indians historically inhabiting regions of northeastern South America and the Caribbean islands known as the Lesser Antilles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum exhibit featured tools and pottery made by a Carib Indian.
  • Early European accounts described encounters with a Carib Indian on the island of Dominica.

Advanced Usage Notes

• The term "Carib" itself is more commonly used than the full phrase "Carib Indian." The latter is often used for specific historical or anthropological context to clearly denote indigenous American origin and distinguish from other meanings of "Carib."
• In contemporary contexts, descendants may prefer or use specific national or community names (e.g., Kalinago, Garifuna) over the historical term "Carib Indian."

Variants and Related Words

• Carib (noun): The shorter, more frequent form referring to the people or their language.
  • The Carib resisted European colonization for centuries.
• Cariban (adjective): Relating to the Carib people or the language family to which their language belongs.
  • The Cariban languages are spoken in parts of South America.
• Kalinago (noun): A name used by the Carib people of the Lesser Antilles for themselves.
• Garifuna (noun): Refers to the descendants of Carib, Arawak, and West African people, primarily in Central America.

Synonyms

• Kalinago: (A specific self-designation for Island Carib people).
• Island Carib: (A term specifying Carib people from the Antillean islands).

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Carib territory: Refers to a designated area, such as the Carib Territory in Dominica, which is a reserve for the Kalinago people.
• Carib language: The language spoken by the Carib people, although many now speak English, French, or a Creole language.

Noun

1. a member of an American Indian peoples of northeastern South America and the Lesser Antilles