I. ˈindēən chiefly Brit -dyən, in sense 2 chiefly dial ˈinjən or sometimes ˈin(ˌ)din noun
( -s )
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: probably from (assumed) Medieval Latin Indianus, from Medieval Latin indianus, adjective
1.
a. : a native or inhabitant of the subcontinent of India or of the East Indies — compare pakistani
b. : one of the native languages of the subcontinent of India or of the East Indies
2.
a.
[so called from the belief on the part of Columbus that the lands discovered by him in 1492 and later were part of Asia]
: american indian
b. : one of the native languages of American Indians
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: probably from Medieval Latin indianus, from Latin India, subcontinent in southern Asia + -anus -an (adjective suffix)
1.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or characteristic of the subcontinent of India or the East Indies
(2) : of, relating to, or characteristic of one of the peoples of the subcontinent of India or the East Indies
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of one of the native languages of the subcontinent of India or the East Indies
c.
(1) : oriental 4
(2) : of, relating to, or constituting the subregion of the biogeographical Oriental region that includes Ceylon and the subcontinent of India north to the Himalayas and west to the Persian gulf or sometimes these areas excepting Ceylon and the adjacent part of the subcontinent of India
2.
a.
[after indian (I) 2a]
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the American Indians
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of one of the native languages of American Indians
3. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the West Indies