I. ˈlau̇ noun
( plural lao or laos )
Usage: capitalized
1.
a. : a Buddhist people living in Laos and adjacent parts of northeastern Thailand and constituting an important branch of the Tai race
b. : a member of such people
2. : the Thai language of the Lao people
II. adjective
also lao·tian (ˈ)lā|ōshən, ˈlau̇shən
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Laotian from Lao (I) + connective -t- + English -ian
: of or relating to the Lao people