habitant

¹ American  

[hab-i-tuhnt] / ˈhæb ɪ tənt /

noun

1. an inhabitant.

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habitant ² American  

[hab-i-tuhnt, a-bee-tahn] / ˈhæb ɪ tənt, a biˈtɑ̃ /

noun

plural

habitants

1. a French settler in Canada or Louisiana, or a descendant of one, especially a farmer.

2. Canadian. a Canadian of French speech and culture, especially one residing in the province of Quebec.

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habitant British  

/ ˈhæbɪtənt /

noun

1. a less common word for inhabitant

2. 1. an early French settler in Canada or Louisiana, esp a small farmer

   2. a descendant of these settlers, esp a farmer

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Etymology

Origin of habitant¹

1480–90; < Latin habitant- (stem of habitāns ), present participle of habitāre to inhabit. See habitat, -ant

Origin of habitant²

1780–90; < French, present participle of habiter < Latin habitāre to inhabit

Example Sentences

France consumes about 2.2 pounds of mustard a year per habitant, making it the world’s largest consumer.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2022

The tourists invaded the handicraft shops for carved wooden curios, bright habitant shawls, blankets, hooked rugs, and furs.

From Time Magazine Archive

The habitant calls it the "victory in the cradle."

From Time Magazine Archive

The old rocking chair, long a symbol of comfort and repose in every habitant farmhouse, was transformed into a device of frenzy and fatigue in Quebec last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Each is possessed of its own peculiar characteristics, which the habitant alone seems to understand in all its vagaries.

From The Cathedrals of Southern France by Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)