ethnonym

noun

eth·​no·​nym ˈeth-(ˌ)nō-ˌnim How to pronounce ethnonym (audio)
plural ethnonyms
: a name used to refer to an ethnic group, tribe, or people
The Reindeer Koryak, closest to the Chukchi, represented almost half of the Koryak population. "Koryak" is not a native ethnonym but was created by the Russians from the root kor, meaning "reindeer," originally as korak, he "who owns reindeer."William W. Fitzhugh & Aron Crowell, Crossroads of Continents, 1988

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnonym was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Ethnonym.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnonym. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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