Definition

Proper noun 1. A member of a Salish people: Refers to an individual belonging to a specific Native American tribe whose traditional territory is in northwestern Washington state. 2. The language of this people: Refers to the Salishan dialect traditionally spoken by the Skagit people.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (referring to the people):
  • The Skagit have lived in the Puget Sound region for thousands of years.
  • She is a Skagit elder who teaches traditional basket weaving.
• Proper noun (referring to the language):
  • Efforts are underway to revitalize the Skagit language among the younger generation.
  • Few fluent speakers of Skagit remain today.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the Skagit people or their region, such as , , or .
  • The Skagit River is a major waterway in the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Lushootseed: This is the broader language family or grouping that includes the Skagit dialect, along with other dialects like Snohomish and Suquamish.
• Salish: Refers to the larger family of languages and peoples of the Pacific Northwest, which includes the Skagit.

Synonyms

• Tribe: (when referring to the people as a group) .
• Dialect, Language: (when referring to the spoken form) .

Related Phrases and Terms

• Upper Skagit: Refers to a specific federally recognized tribe, the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
• Skagit Valley: A geographical region in northwestern Washington known for agriculture, named after the Skagit people.

Noun

1. a Salishan dialect spoken by the Skagit
2. a member of the Salish people in northwestern Washington