Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of or pertaining to the American Indians, their cultures, or their languages: The term "Amerindic" is a dated and now rarely used adjective relating to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, particularly those within the United States, and their associated cultural or linguistic attributes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The museum has a collection of Amerindic artifacts. (The museum has a collection of artifacts pertaining to American Indians.)
  • Scholars studied Amerindic languages and their structures. (Scholars studied languages related to American Indians.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "Amerindic" is largely archaic in modern academic and general usage. It is primarily encountered in older anthropological or historical texts.
• Contemporary preferred terms include Native American, American Indian, Indigenous peoples of the Americas, or more specific tribal names (e.g., Navajo, Cherokee), which are considered more accurate and respectful.

Variants and Related Words

• Amerind (noun, dated): A dated term for a member of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
• Amerindian (adjective/noun, dated): Another dated variant synonymous with "Amerindic" or "American Indian."

Synonyms

• Native American (adj/n): Of or relating to the Indigenous peoples of the United States.
• American Indian (adj/n): Of or relating to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially within the U.S.
• Indigenous (adj): Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native. (Used with "peoples of the Americas" for specificity.)

Notes on Usage

• Important Note: "Amerindic" and its variants ("Amerind," "Amerindian") are considered outdated and potentially offensive by many. They are broad, imprecise terms that homogenize diverse cultures. It is strongly recommended to use the specific name of a nation or people (e.g., Lakota, Iroquois) or the more contemporary and respectful terms Native American or American Indian, depending on context and preference. The term Indigenous (e.g., Indigenous peoples of the Americas) is also widely accepted in international contexts.

Adjective

1. of or pertaining to American Indians or their culture or languages
   • Native American religions
   • Indian arrowheads