in senses 1 & 2 & prob 4 əˈpachē or -chi sometimes -pä- or -pȧ-; in sense 3 əˈpash or -paa- or -pai- or -pä- or -pȧ- noun
( plural apache or apaches )
Etymology: Spanish, probably from Zuñi Ápachu, literally, enemy
1. usually capitalized
a. : an Athapaskan people of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico
b. : a member of such people
2. usually capitalized : any of the Athapaskan languages of the Apache people
3.
[F. from Apache Apache Indian, probably from English]
a. sometimes capitalized : a member of a gang of criminals especially in Paris noted for their crimes of violence
b. : ruffian
4. : sienna brown