Alacaluf

noun

Ala·​ca·​luf
variants or Alakaluf or less commonly Alikuluf
¦a-lə-kə-¦lüf,
¦ä-
plural Alacaluf or Alacalufs or Alakaluf or Alakalufs
1
a
: a people of Tierra del Fuego
b
: a member of such people
2
: a language of the Alacaluf people

Word History

Etymology

Spanish & Yahgan; Spanish alacaluf, probably from Yahgan (Innalum) Aala Kaluf, literally, western men with mussel-shell knives

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Alacaluf was in 1883

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Dictionary Entries Near Alacaluf

Cite this Entry

“Alacaluf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alacaluf. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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