I. (ˈ)kȯ|kāzhən also -azh- or -aizh- adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Caucas us or Caucasia, region between the Black & Caspian seas (from Latin Caucasus, from Greek Kaukasos ) + English -ian or -an
1. : of or relating to the Caucasus or its inhabitants
2. : caucasic 2
3. : of or relating to the Caucasian race
II. noun
( -s )
1. capitalized : a member of one of various native peoples of the Caucasus (as the Abkhas, Georgians, Mingrelians, Circassians, Kartvelians, Chechens, and Lezghians) most of whom are racially white but linguistically isolated
2. capitalized
a. : a member of the white race of mankind as opposed by classification according to physical features (as skin color, hair form, or body and skeletal characteristics) but without regard to language or culture to members of the Negroid, Mongoloid, or other putative races of mankind
b. : a member of the white race as defined by law (as in California or So. Africa) ; specifically : a descendant of European, No. African, or southwest Asian immigrants
c. chiefly Southwest : a person of white race or European descent as opposed to those of other ethnic affiliation or descent (as certain Mexicans, Indians, Negroes, Orientals) : anglo
3. usually capitalized : a rug of any of the types woven in the Caucasus mountains and the adjacent plains to the north and south