Costanoan

[ kos-tuh-noh-uhn, kaw-stuh- ]

/ ˌkɒs təˈnoʊ ən, ˌkɔ stə- /

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noun

a family of eight languages, now extinct, spoken by American Indian peoples of coastal California: part of the Penutian stock.

any of the speakers of these languages, who formerly inhabited the coast and adjacent river valleys from San Francisco Bay south to Monterey Bay and Point Sur.

adjective

of or relating to Costanoan or the Costanoans.

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Origin of Costanoan

<Spanish costano coast dweller (cost(a) coast, shore + -ano-an) + -an

Words nearby Costanoan

costal angle, costal arch, costal cartilage, costalgia, Costa Mesa, Costanoan, costar, costard, Costa Rica, Costa Rican, costate

How to use Costanoan in a sentence

It is quite true that some of the tribal groups inhabiting this territory may not have been members of the Costanoan stock.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook
They probably had just left Costanoan territory, although, to be sure, the exact tribal boundaries are unknown.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook
Kroeber classes Saclan as doubtfully Costanoan, but shows the group as Costanoan on his large colored tribal map.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook
The Abastos, it may be pointed out, were neither Costanoan nor resident on the east side of the Bay.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook

Among the Southern Costanoan peoples creation myths resembling those of the Yokuts are found.
The Religion of the Indians of California|A. L. Kroeber