Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to Saint Dominic or the Dominican Order: Pertaining to the Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic in the 13th century.
   • Relating to the Dominican Republic or its people: Of or characteristic of the Caribbean nation, the Dominican Republic, or its citizens.

2. Noun:

   • A Roman Catholic friar of the Dominican Order: A member of the Order of Preachers, a mendicant religious order.
   • A native or inhabitant of the Dominican Republic: A person from the Dominican Republic.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The Dominican monastery is known for its scholarship. (Relating to the Order)
  • She loves Dominican music and culture. (Relating to the country)

• Noun:

  • The Dominican preached a sermon in the town square. (A friar)
  • My neighbor is a Dominican from Santo Domingo. (A person from the DR)

Advanced Usage

• "Dominican" as a demonym: Used to identify people and things from the Dominican Republic.
  • The Dominican embassy issued a statement.

Variants and Related Words

• Dominican Order (proper noun): The official name of the religious order.
• Dominican Republic (proper noun): The name of the country.

Synonyms

• Friar (noun): A brother of a religious order (when referring to the religious member).
• Dominican Republican (noun): Alternative phrasing for an inhabitant (less common).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word has two distinct primary meanings: one religious (pertaining to the Order of Preachers) and one national (pertaining to the Dominican Republic). Context is essential for clarity.

Adjective

1. of or relating to Saint Dominic or the Dominican order
   • Dominican monks
2. of or relating to or characteristic of the Dominican Republic or its people
   • the Dominican population

Noun

1. a native or inhabitant of the Dominican Republic
2. a Roman Catholic friar wearing the black mantle of the Dominican order