Melanesian

American  

[mel-uh-nee-zhuhn, -shuhn] / ˌmɛl əˈni ʒən, -ʃən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Melanesia, its inhabitants, or their languages.

---

noun

1. a member of any of the Indigenous peoples inhabiting Melanesia.

2. the Austronesian languages of Melanesia, taken collectively.

Melanesian British  

/ ˌmɛləˈniːzɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Melanesia, its people, or their languages

---

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Melanesia: generally Negroid with frizzy hair and small stature

2. a group or branch of languages spoken in Melanesia, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family

3. See also Neo-Melanesian

Etymology

Origin of Melanesian

First recorded in 1840–50; Melanesi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Diplomatic relations have been complicated by the separatist ambitions of Melanesian groups on the Indonesian side of Papua, which was absorbed by Indonesia after a 1969 vote.

From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2023

The indigenous Papuans, who are Melanesian, are now thought to be outnumbered by settlers from other parts of the archipelago.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2023

In Melanesian culture, a wide-eyed gasping face is a symbol of aggression, not fear.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2022

Wale and other lawmakers spoke at length, using a mixture of English, the official language, and the commonly spoken Melanesian pidgin.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2021

It might be observed here that although hair length was not included in this survey, on the basis of personal but unrecorded observation, the Fijians conform to the Melanesian pattern.

From A Racial Study of the Fijians by Gabel, Norman E.