Nez Perce

Or Nez Per·cé

[nez purs, ney per-sey]

noun

plural

Nez Perces ,

plural

Nez Perce .

1. Also called Nimiipuu. a member of a North American Indian people of the Sahaptin family.

2. Also called Nimipuutimt. the Sahaptin language of the Nez Perce.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Nez Perce or their language.

Nez Percé

/ ˈnɛz ˈpɜːs, ne pɛrse /

noun

1. a member of a North American Indian people of the Pacific coast, a tribe of the Sahaptin

2. the Sahaptin language of this people

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nez Percé¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “pierced nose”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nez Percé¹

French, literally: pierced nose