Esquimau
- noun
- /ˈɛskɪˌmɔ/
- Slur
- Historical documents frequently describe the Arctic peoples as Esquimau, though this term is no longer commonly used.
Examples
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The explorers encountered a small group of Esquimaux living near the ice floes.
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In outdated literature, the word Esquimau is often used instead of Inuit or Eskimo.
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The Esquimau culture has a rich history.
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Many Esquimaux live in igloos during the winter.
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In earlier times, the term Esquimau was used to refer to indigenous people of the Arctic regions.
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The book provided an overview of Esquimaux, highlighting their traditional ways of life.
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Although now considered outdated, Esquimau was once a common descriptor for Arctic indigenous communities.
Synonyms
Native people who live in the Arctic regions of northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and eastern Siberia
Surface Forms
Etymology
Esquimau comes from French Esquimaux, and one common idea is that the French word came from a local Native word meaning 'eater of raw meat'. This term is now seen as old or offensive by many, so today people usually use Inuit or the specific name a group prefers.