Nez Perce
6
9.9
- noun
- /nɛz pɜrs/
- In 1877, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce finally laid down his arms.
- Nez Perce Tribe
- Nez Perce reservation
- Nez Perce Indians
Examples
-
"We need the salmon for our future and for our children," proclaims Nez Perce elder Julia Davis-Wheeler.
Academic text (2012) -
The Washington State College campus was and still is located within the Nez Perce 1855 treaty boundary.
Academic text (2005) -
Throughout the early nineteenth century, many Nez Perce died as a result of pandemic disease.
Academic text (2005) -
Such families are considered strong spiritually and as authorities on Nez Perce Indian life and history.
Academic text (2012) -
The result, however, was conflict, with the Nez Perce fleeing a pursuing military.
Academic text (2000) -
As part of the release, federal agencies invited Nez Perce and Fort Hall Shoshone-Bannock artists to bless the event.
Academic text (2000) -
Most of these are inhabited and partially cultivated by Nez Perce Indians, who have considerable skill in agriculture.
Academic text (2005) -
For countless generations, the Nez Perces harvested and stored predictable runs of anadromous fish.
Academic text (2005) -
I am a direct descendant of the Nez Perce tribe who once lived peacefully in Oregon's Walla Walla Valley.
Academic text (2008) -
The Nez Perce are known for their rich cultural traditions and historical significance in the Pacific Northwest.
Synonyms
The name the Nez Perce people use for themselves
Surface Forms
Morphology
Nez + Perce
Nez Perce is a proper name for an indigenous people and their language, and its current meaning (the Shahaptian language/people) cannot be inferred from the literal meanings of the constituent words. Even if the parts reflect French roots ('nez' = nose, 'percé' = pierced), that etymology does not transparently convey the ethnonym to a B1 learner, so the expression is idiomatic/opaque.
Etymology
Nez Perce may come from the French words nez and percé, which mean 'pierced nose'. French fur traders used that name for the group they met, so today Nez Perce refers to a member of that Native American tribe.