Sahaptin

[sah-hap-tuhn]

noun

plural

Sahaptins ,

plural

Sahaptin .

1. a member of any of several American Indian peoples of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

2. Also called Ichishkíin Sínwit. a language used by several American Indian tribes of the Columbia River basin, including the Yakama.

3. a branch of the Penutian language family consisting of Ichishkíin Sínwit and Nez Perce.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Sahaptin or to their languages.

Sahaptin

/ sɑːˈhæptɪən, sɑːˈhæptən, sɑːˈhæptɪn /

noun

1. a member of a North American Indian people of Oregon and Washington, including the Nez Percé

2. the language of this people

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sahaptin¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from Southern Interior Salish sʕaptnx “Nez Perce, Sahaptin”

Example Sentences

This is Azure’s first year teaching Ichiskíin, also known as Sahaptin, at Harrah Elementary, but he’s well-known in the Lower Yakima Valley, having taught for 13 years.

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Dictionary documenting "the dominant dialect of Sahaptin" on Washington state's Yakama Reservation.

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In the Nahuatl, Sahaptin, and Selish families it is most prominent.

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Deffenbaugh describes what may perhaps be regarded as an intensive sign among the Sahaptins in connection with the sign for good; i.e., very good.

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The term “Sahaptin” appears on Gallatin’s map of 1836, where it doubtless refers only to the Nez Percé tribe proper, with respect to whose linguistic affinities Gallatin apparently knew nothing at the time.

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