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ethnic definition

eth·nic (et̸h′nik)

adjective

  1. Now Rare heathen
  2. designating or of a population subgroup having a common cultural heritage or nationality, as distinguished by customs, characteristics, language, common history, etc.
Also ethnical eth′·ni·cal

Etymology: ME ethnik < LL(Ec) ethnicus, pagan < Gr ethnikos, national (in LGr(Ec), gentile, heathen) < ethnos, nation, people, ta ethnē, nations (in LXX, non-Jews, in N.T., gentile Christians): akin to ēthos: see ethical

noun

a member of an ethnic group, esp. a member of a minority or nationality group that is part of a larger community

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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