Assamese

[ as-uh-meez, -mees ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Assam, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

, plural As·sa·mese.

1. a native or inhabitant of Assam.
2. an Indic language of Assam.

Assamese

/ ˌæsəˈmiːz /

noun

1. the state language of Assam, belonging to the Indic branch of the Indo-European family and closely related to Bengali
2. -mese a native or inhabitant of Assam

adjective

1. of or relating to Assam, its people, or their language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Assamese¹

First recorded in 1820–30; Assam + -ese

Example Sentences

The boy, Sheikh Farid, was hit when police opened fire at Bengali Muslim villagers protesting the forced eviction from their land that the government now wants to give to Assamese Hindus, whom it calls the “indigenous community.”

From Time

Much to the discontent of the ethnic Assamese, the migrations have continued in recent decades as a result of the violent partition of the subcontinent, economic hardship, political instability and wars in what is now known as Bangladesh.

From Time

The state’s population grew throughout the century, inspiring a vocal movement of Assamese citizens against Bengali-speaking migrants.

From Time

There is no single Assamese nationality, and the Assamese language is merely a modern dialect of Bengali.

From Project Gutenberg

The Assamese are an interesting race, of distinct origin from the neighbouring Bengalis.

From Project Gutenberg

The Aryans of India have exogamy but not totemism, and this is true in part of the Assamese.

From Project Gutenberg

Assamese, again an English word, is spoken in the Assam Valley.

From Project Gutenberg

One Assamese slave is among the inhabitants, who was sold when a boy.

From Project Gutenberg