I. |sin(h)ə|lēz, -ēs adjective
also sin·gha·lese |siŋgə-, -iŋ(h)ə- ; or sin·ga·lese -iŋ(g)ə- ; or cin·ga·lese |siŋ(g)ə- ; or cin·gha·lese -iŋgə-, -iŋ(h)ə-
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Sanskrit Siṁhala Sri Lanka, island in the Indian ocean south of the Indian subcontinent + English -ese (adjective suffix)
1. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Sinhalese
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Sinhalese language
II. noun
also singhalese “ ; or singalese “ ; or cingalese “ ; or cinghalese “
( plural sinhalese )
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: Sanskrit Siṁhala Sri Lanka + English -ese (n. suffix)
1.
a. : a people inhabiting the island of Sri Lanka and forming a major portion of its population
b. : a member of such people
2. : the Indic language of the Sinhalese people which is the leading language of Sri Lanka