arawak
Proper noun 1. A family of indigenous languages: Arawak refers to a major language family of South America, historically spoken by numerous peoples across a broad region, particularly in the northeastern parts of the continent and the Caribbean. 2. A member of an indigenous people: Arawak refers to a member of any of the peoples speaking languages belonging to the Arawakan family. Historically, this term is often used specifically for the Taíno people of the Caribbean islands, who were among the first indigenous groups encountered by Europeans.
As a language family: Linguists study the grammatical structures of the Arawak language family. Several Arawak languages are now endangered or extinct.
As a member of a people: The Arawak had a complex society and culture before European contact. This artifact is believed to have been made by the Arawak.
- In anthropological context: The term is used to discuss cultural, historical, and linguistic connections across a wide geographic area.
- Arawakan (adj): Pertaining to the Arawak peoples or languages.
- Taíno (n): Specifically refers to the Arawak inhabitants of the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas at the time of European contact.
- Lokono: The name of a specific contemporary Arawak people and language, primarily in Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.
- The term "Arawak" can have both a broad linguistic meaning (the language family) and specific ethnic meanings (particular peoples within that family). The specific referent is often determined by context.
- In historical texts, "Arawak" is frequently synonymous with the Taíno people of the Caribbean islands.
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a family of South American Indian languages spoken in northeastern South America
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a member of a widespread group of Amerindians living in northeastern South America
