Arawak

noun

Ar·​a·​wak ˈa-rə-ˌwäk How to pronounce Arawak (audio)
-ˌwak,
ˈer-ə-
plural Arawak or Arawaks
1
: a member of an Indian people of the Arawakan group now living chiefly along the coast of Guyana
2
: the language of the Arawak people

Word History

Etymology

earlier Arwaca, Aroaca, an Arawak subgroup of 16th century Trinidad, perhaps from an Arawak name for the subgroup

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Arawak was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near Arawak

Cite this Entry

“Arawak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Arawak. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

Arawak

noun
Ar·​a·​wak ˈar-ə-ˌwäk How to pronounce Arawak (audio)
plural Arawak or Arawaks
: a member of an Indian people chiefly of Guyana

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