Definition

Noun 1. A member of the Siouan people of the Kansas river valley in Kansas: The Kansa are a Native American tribe historically associated with the central United States. 2. The Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Kansa people: This refers to the specific language variety, part of the Siouan language family, traditionally spoken by the Kansa tribe.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the people):
  • The Kansa were known as skilled farmers and traders.
  • A delegation of Kansa met with the government officials.
• Noun (referring to the language):
  • Few fluent speakers of the Kansa language remain today.
  • Scholars are working to document the grammar of Kansa.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in anthropological, historical, and linguistic contexts.
• The plural form for referring to the people can be or .

Variants and Related Words

• Kansas: This is the name of the U.S. state, derived from the name of the Kansa people. It is also an accepted plural form for the people.
• Kaw: An alternative name for the Kansa people and their language.
• Dhegiha: The branch of the Siouan language family that includes Kansa, as well as Osage, Quapaw, and Omaha-Ponca.

Synonyms

• Kaw (for the people or the language)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meanings are ethnological (the people) and linguistic (their language). The word is a proper noun and is typically capitalized.

Noun

1. the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Kansa
2. a member of the Siouan people of the Kansas river valley in Kansas