Where does “North American Indian” come from?
North American Indian (English) comes from English indian, from Middle English Indien, from Anglo-Norman indien — Indian.
North American Indian (English): A member of one of the indigenous peoples of...
Definitions
- A member of one of the indigenous peoples of...
Ancestry of “North American Indian”, step by step
North American Indian traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English indian
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | indian | Of or relating to India or its people; or (formerly) of the East Indies |
| 2 | Middle English | Indien | — |
| 3 | Anglo-Norman | indien | Indian |
via English North American
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | North American | of, or relating to North America; A person from... |