Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Penutian language: A language belonging to the Penutian language family, historically spoken by the Costanoan people.
   • A member of a North American Indian people: An individual belonging to a group of Native American people who traditionally lived in coastal California between Monterey and San Francisco Bay.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Language):
  • Linguists study the grammar and vocabulary of the Costanoan language.
  • Few records of spoken Costanoan survive today.
• Noun (People):
  • A Costanoan taught the early settlers about local plants.
  • The museum exhibit honors the history of the Costanoan.

Advanced Usage

• Ethnonym: The term "Costanoan" is used as an ethnonym, a name for a specific ethnic and linguistic group.
  • Anthropological research focuses on Costanoan settlement patterns.
• Historical Context: The term is primarily used in historical, anthropological, and linguistic contexts.
  • The Costanoan tribes were impacted by the Spanish mission system.

Variants and Related Words

• Ohlone: This is a modern synonym often used interchangeably with "Costanoan" to refer to the same group of people and their languages.
  • The Ohlone people are working to revitalize their cultural heritage.

Synonyms

• Ohlone (n): A contemporary term for the Costanoan people and their languages.

Notes on Usage

• The term "Costanoan" is derived from the Spanish word (meaning "coastal people").
• It is important to use this term with respect for its historical and cultural significance to the indigenous communities it describes.

Noun

1. a Penutian language spoken by the Costanoan
2. a member of a North American Indian people living in coastal California between Monterey and San Francisco Bay