Nez Percé

noun

ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā
variants or Nez Perce
1
plural Nez Percé or Nez Percés ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā,
or
ˈnez-ˈpər-səz How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈper-səz;
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā(z)
or Nez Perce or Nez Perces ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā,
or
ˈnez-ˈpər-səz How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈper-səz;
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā(z)
: a member of an Indigenous people originally of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon

Note: Current-day members of the tribe live on the Nez Percé Reservation in Idaho.

2
: the language of the Nez Percé people

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, pierced nose

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Nez Percé was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near Nez Percé

Cite this Entry

“Nez Percé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nez%20Perc%C3%A9. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Nez Percé

noun
variants or Nez Perce
ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio) ˈnes-ˈpe(ə)rs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
 French  nā-per-sā
plural Nez Percé or Nez Percés or Nez Perce or Nez Perces
: a member of an Indigenous people of central Idaho and neighboring parts of Washington and Oregon
Etymology

French, literally "pierced nose"

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