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

habitants plural

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 habitant women in their dusty-black Sunday clothes still knelt to pray in ancient Chapelle des Augustines.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Although Noah was a Confederate Veteran and Edgar was born in Virginia, the Judge is a Republican and a habitant of Oklahoma City.

From Time Magazine Archive

Metcalfe undoubtedly overestimates the influence of these men, as compared with the church, over the habitant class.

From British Supremacy & Canadian Self-Government, 1839-1854 by Morison, J. L. (John Lyle)