Illinois definition
An example of an Illinois is a Native American tribe member from South Wisconsin who spoke the Algonquin language.
An example of Illinois is the state of which Chicago is the capital.
Origin of illinois
- French variant of earlier ilinoüek of Algonquian origin perhaps meaning “those who speak normally” and ultimately from Proto-Algonquian elen- regular, ordinary, in Algonquian fashion we·- make sound, speak
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From French adaptation of an Algonquian (perhaps Ojibwe) term ilenweewa, meaning "they speak normally."
From Wiktionary