Eskimo
[ es-kuh-moh ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌmoʊ /
noun, plural Es·ki·mos, (especially collectively) Es·ki·mo for 1.
a member of an indigenous people of Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northeastern Siberia, characterized by short, stocky build and light-brown complexion.
either of two related languages spoken by the Eskimos, one in Greenland, Canada, and northern Alaska, the other in southern Alaska and Siberia.
Origin of Eskimo
1575–85; < earlier
Esqimawe(s), apparently via French (of 16th-century Basque fishermen) < Spanish
esquimao(s) < Montagnais (French spelling)
aiachkimeou- a name for the Micmac, extended or transferred to the Labrador Eskimo among the eastern Montagnais; perhaps literally, snowshoe-netter (compare Ojibwa
aškime· to net snowshoes); cf.
husky3
usage note for Eskimo
The name
Inuit, by which the native people of the Arctic from northern Alaska to western Greenland call themselves, has largely supplanted
Eskimo in Canada and is used officially by the Canadian government. Many Inuit consider
Eskimo derogatory, in part because the word was, erroneously, long thought to mean literally “eater of raw meat.”
Inuit has also come to be used in a wider sense, to name all people traditionally called
Eskimo, regardless of local self-designations. Nonetheless,
Eskimo continues in use in all parts of the world, especially in historical and archaeological contexts and in reference to the people as a cultural and linguistic unity. The term
Native American is sometimes used to include Eskimo and Aleut peoples. See also
Indian.
OTHER WORDS FROM Eskimo
Es·ki·mo·an, adjective Es·ki·moid [es-kuh-moid] /ˈɛs kəˌmɔɪd/, adjective pro-Es·ki·mo, adjective, noun, plural pro-Es·ki·mos, pro-Es·ki·mo.Example sentences from the Web for eskimos
British Dictionary definitions for eskimos
Eskimo
/ (ˈɛskɪˌməʊ) /
noun
plural -mos or -mo
a member of a group of peoples inhabiting N Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and E Siberia, having a material culture adapted to an extremely cold climate
the language of these peoples
a family of languages that includes Eskimo and Aleut
adjective
relating to, denoting, or characteristic of the Eskimos
Former spelling:
Esquimau
Word Origin for Eskimo
C18 from Algonquian
Esquimawes
usage for Eskimo
Eskimo is considered by many to be offensive, and in North America the term
Inuit is usually preferred.
Inuit, however, can be accurately applied only to those Aboriginal peoples inhabiting parts of Northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland (as distinguished from those in Asia or the Aleutian Islands)
Cultural definitions for eskimos
Eskimos
A widely dispersed group of peoples in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia, who have traditionally survived primarily by hunting and fishing. Despite the isolation of Eskimo communities, the Eskimos display a strong cultural, racial, and linguistic unity. Many Eskimos, especially those in Canada, prefer the name Inuit.
notes for Eskimos
Most people picture isolated Eskimos living in igloos and driving dogsleds; however, contact with outsiders has resulted in adoption of permanent housing settlements, snowmobiles and motorboats, and modern hunting equipment.
notes for Eskimos
Christianity has replaced many traditional religious beliefs. Efforts by federal governments to incorporate Eskimo societies have included establishment of schools in Eskimo communities and opportunities to participate in the larger government and economy.