Eskimo

[ es-kuh-moh ]

/ ˈɛs kəˌmoʊ /

noun, plural Es·ki·mos, (especially collectively) Es·ki·mo for 1.

a member of an indigenous people of Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northeastern Siberia, characterized by short, stocky build and light-brown complexion.

either of two related languages spoken by the Eskimos, one in Greenland, Canada, and northern Alaska, the other in southern Alaska and Siberia.

Compare Inuit, Yupik.

Origin of Eskimo

1575–85; < earlier Esqimawe(s), apparently via French (of 16th-century Basque fishermen) < Spanish esquimao(s) < Montagnais (French spelling) aiachkimeou- a name for the Micmac, extended or transferred to the Labrador Eskimo among the eastern Montagnais; perhaps literally, snowshoe-netter (compare Ojibwa aškime· to net snowshoes); cf. husky³

OTHER WORDS FROM Eskimo

Es·ki·mo·an, adjectiveEs·ki·moid

[es-kuh-moid] /ˈɛs kəˌmɔɪd/, adjectivepro-Es·ki·mo, adjective, noun, plural pro-Es·ki·mos, pro-Es·ki·mo.

usage note for Eskimo

The name Inuit, by which the native people of the Arctic from northern Alaska to western Greenland call themselves, has largely supplanted Eskimo in Canada and is used officially by the Canadian government. Many Inuit consider Eskimo derogatory, in part because the word was, erroneously, long thought to mean literally “eater of raw meat.” Inuit has also come to be used in a wider sense, to name all people traditionally called Eskimo, regardless of local self-designations. Nonetheless, Eskimo continues in use in all parts of the world, especially in historical and archaeological contexts and in reference to the people as a cultural and linguistic unity. The term Native American is sometimes used to include Eskimo and Aleut peoples. See also Indian.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for eskimos

There is a persistent and erroneous belief that the Eskimos have 50 (or 70, or 300) words for snow.
Wunnerfitz! Sollybuster! The Fun of the Dictionary of American Regional English|Ammon Shea|April 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Of course, Morgan can sell movies about ice formations to the Eskimos.
Morgan Spurlock's Juicy Movie Sponsor|Lynda Resnick|April 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It was observed that the other Eskimos drew near with anxious looks to hear the opinion of their chief.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Bartlett was to return with these two Eskimos, one sledge, and eighteen dogs.
The North Pole|Robert E. Peary

Eskimos have peculiar and not unreasonable laws on such matters.
Red Rooney|R.M. Ballantyne
The Eskimos, however, are still very unsophisticated with respect to the exposure of their person.
Eskimo Life|Fridtjof Nansen
As we neared the herd, the dory, with its Eskimos, was freed from the launch.
My Attainment of the Pole|Frederick A. Cook

British Dictionary definitions for eskimos

Eskimo

/ (ˈɛskɪˌməʊ) /

noun

plural -mos or -mo a member of a group of peoples inhabiting N Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and E Siberia, having a material culture adapted to an extremely cold climate

the language of these peoples

a family of languages that includes Eskimo and Aleut

adjective

relating to, denoting, or characteristic of the Eskimos

Former spelling: Esquimau

Word Origin for Eskimo

C18 from Algonquian Esquimawes

usage for Eskimo

Eskimo is considered by many to be offensive, and in North America the term Inuit is usually preferred. Inuit, however, can be accurately applied only to those Aboriginal peoples inhabiting parts of Northern Canada, Alaska, and Greenland (as distinguished from those in Asia or the Aleutian Islands)

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

Cultural definitions for eskimos

Eskimos

A widely dispersed group of peoples in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia, who have traditionally survived primarily by hunting and fishing. Despite the isolation of Eskimo communities, the Eskimos display a strong cultural, racial, and linguistic unity. Many Eskimos, especially those in Canada, prefer the name Inuit.

notes for Eskimos

Most people picture isolated Eskimos living in igloos and driving dogsleds; however, contact with outsiders has resulted in adoption of permanent housing settlements, snowmobiles and motorboats, and modern hunting equipment.

notes for Eskimos

Christianity has replaced many traditional religious beliefs. Efforts by federal governments to incorporate Eskimo societies have included establishment of schools in Eskimo communities and opportunities to participate in the larger government and economy.