Altaic

[ al-tey-ik ]

/ ælˈteɪ ɪk /

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noun

the Turkic, Mongolian, and Tungusic language families collectively, spoken over a broad expanse of Eurasia, from southeastern Europe to the Pacific: variously considered to be a single, genetically related family, with Japanese and Korean sometimes also included, or a group of languages with shared typologies and histories, but not genetically akin.

adjective

of or belonging to Altaic.

of or relating to the Altai Mountains.

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Also Al·ta·ian

[al-tey-uhn, -tahy-]. /ælˈteɪ ən, -taɪ-/.

Origin of Altaic

First recorded in 1825–35; Alta(i) + -ic

Words nearby Altaic

alt, Alta., Alta California, Altadena, Altai, Altaic, Altai Mountains, Altair, Altai Republic, Altamaha, Altamira

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Altaic in a sentence

We may at least suspect that the Slavic vowel is not historically unconnected with its Ural-Altaic parallels.
Language|Edward Sapir
In the case of the Altaic races which we are considering, cause and effect mutually strengthened each other.
The Soul of the Far East|Percival Lowell
Aston, in a pamphlet on the Altaic tongues, cites an instance which is so much to the point that I venture to repeat it here.
The Soul of the Far East|Percival Lowell
They belong to the Finnish family, and consequently to the Ural-Altaic division of the human race.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7|Various

Turkish is the westernmost representative of a great group of languages, best known, perhaps, as the Ural-Altaic family.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, March 1899|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Altaic

Altaic

/ (ælˈteɪɪk) /

noun

a postulated family of languages of Asia and SE Europe, consisting of the Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic branches, and perhaps also Japanese, Korean, and AinuSee also Ural-Altaic

adjective

denoting, belonging to, or relating to this linguistic family or its speakers

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012