pəˈnüd.ēən noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Wintun & Maidu pen two + Miwok & Costanoan uti two + English -an
1. : a language stock of California comprising the Copehan, Costanoan, Mariposan, Moquelumnan, and Pujunan families
2. : a language phylum comprising the Penutian stock plus Chinookan, Kalapooian, Kusan, Shahaptian, and Takilman centering in Oregon and Tsimshian of British Columbia to which some add other families extending into Central America