Nilotic

[ nahy-lot-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Nile River or the inhabitants of the Nile region.
2. of or relating to the Nilotic group of languages.

noun

1. a group of languages belonging to the Eastern Sudanic branch of Nilo-Saharan, and including Dinka, Luo, Masai, and Nandi.

Nilotic

/ naɪˈlɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the Nile
2. of, relating to, or belonging to a tall Negroid pastoral people inhabiting South Sudan, parts of Kenya and Uganda, and neighbouring countries
3. relating to or belonging to the group of languages spoken by the Nilotic peoples

noun

1. a group of languages of E Africa, including Luo, Dinka, and Masai, now generally regarded as belonging to the Chari-Nile branch of the Nilo-Saharan family

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nilotic¹

1645–55; < Latin Nīlōticus of the Nile < Greek Neilōtikós. See Nile, -otic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nilotic¹

C17: via Latin from Greek Neilotikós, from Neilos the Nile

Example Sentences

The teeth are nearly double in number those of the Nilotic monster, but he is far less dangerous, and feeds only on fish.

From Project Gutenberg

In this nilotic region, myriads of water-fowls find a favorite resort.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet others again, especially on the north, are of Gala (Galla) or Nilotic origin.

From Project Gutenberg

The mass of the Egyptian people is to-day, as in Pharaoh's time, of the old "Nilotic" stock.

From Project Gutenberg

This day, and for three days past, Fielding had been abed in his cabin with a touch of Nilotic fever.

From Project Gutenberg