Melanesian

[ mel-uh-nee-zhuh n, -shuh n ]

/ ˌmɛl əˈni ʒən, -ʃən /

of or relating to Melanesia, its inhabitants, or their languages.

a member of any of the native peoples inhabiting Melanesia.

the Austronesian languages of Melanesia, taken collectively.

Origin of Melanesian

First recorded in 1840–50; Melanesi(a) + -an

It was really a pretty face, viewed by any standard, and for a Melanesian it was a remarkably good-looking face.

South Sea Tales |Jack London
I never have two days together which I can spend exclusively at Melanesian work.

Life of John Coleridge Patteson |Charlotte M. Yonge
A Melanesian takes the offertory bason, and they give or not as they please.

Life of John Coleridge Patteson |Charlotte M. Yonge
Separate groups of buildings, which once were filled with lads from different Melanesian isles—farm buildings, barns, &c.

Life of John Coleridge Patteson |Charlotte M. Yonge

Even superficial observation indicates that the natives range from strongly Melanesian to markedly Polynesian.

A Racial Study of the Fijians |Norman E. Gabel

Melanesian

/ (ˌmɛləˈniːzɪən) /

of or relating to Melanesia, its people, or their languages

a native or inhabitant of Melanesia: generally Negroid with frizzy hair and small stature

a group or branch of languages spoken in Melanesia, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family