I. ˈyau̇ noun
( plural yao or yaos )
Usage: usually capitalized
1.
a. : an aboriginal people inhabiting chiefly mountainous parts of southwestern China, northern Thailand, Laos, and Tonkin
b. : a member of such people
2. : the language of the Yao people — see miao-yao
II. noun
( plural yao or yaos )
Usage: usually capitalized
1.
a. : an African people living in the vicinity of Lake Nyasa, Central Africa
b. : a member of such people
2. : a Bantu language of the Yao people