Seminole

(sem′ə nōl′)

noun

pl. Seminoles or Seminole a member of any of the North American Indian groups that separated from the Creek Confederacy in the 18th cent. and migrated to Florida: now living in S Florida & Oklahoma
1. the variety of Creek spoken by the Florida Seminoles
2. a related Muskogean language, usually called Mikasuki

Origin: < earlier Seminolie < Creek simanó˙li wild, runaway, altered by metathesis < simaló˙ni < New World Sp cimarrón

See Seminole in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. Seminole Seminole or Sem·i·noles

a. A Native American people made up of various primarily Creek groups who moved into northern Florida during the 18th and 19th centuries, later inhabiting the Everglades region as well, with present-day populations in Oklahoma and southern Florida. The Seminole Wars ended in the removal of the majority of the Seminoles to Indian Territory.
b. A member of this people.
Either of the Muskogean languages of the Seminole.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of Seminolie

Origin: , from Creek simalóoni, simanóoli, runaway

Origin: , from American Spanish cimarrón; see Maroon ¹

Related Forms: