I. də-ˈkō-tə noun
( plural Dakotas also Dakota )
Etymology: Dakota (Yankton-Yánktonai and Santee dialects) dak h óta, perhaps literally, friendly, allied
Date: 1804
1. : a member of an American Indian people of the northern Mississippi valley
2. : the Siouan language of the Dakota people
II. də-ˈkō-tə geographical name
1. — see James 1
2. territory (1861-89) NW United States divided 1889 into states of North Dakota & South Dakota (the Da·ko·tas -təz )
• Da·ko·tan -ˈkō-t ə n adjective or noun