adj. & n.
adj. 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of the United States or its inhabitants. 2 (usu. in comb.) of or relating to the continents of America (Latin-American).
n. 1 a native or citizen of the United States. 2 (usu. in comb.) a native or inhabitant of the continents of America (North Americans). 3 the English language as it is used in the United States. American dream the traditional ideals of the American people, such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity. American football a kind of football played with an oval ball, evolved from Rugby football. American Indian see INDIAN.
[ mod.L Americanus f. America f. Latinized name of Amerigo Vespucci, It. navigator d. 1512 ]