Word Study
melanesian
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective melanesian has 1 sense
CIDE DICTIONARY
melanesian, prop. a. [Gr. me`las, me`lanos, black + island. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the natives.].
Of or pertaining to Melanesia. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
melanesian, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a member of the dominant Negroid people of Melanesia, an island group in the W. Pacific.
2 the language of this people.
--adj. of or relating to this people or their language.
--n.
1 a member of the dominant Negroid people of Melanesia, an island group in the W. Pacific.
2 the language of this people.
--adj. of or relating to this people or their language.
Etymology
Melanesia f. Gk melas black + nesos island
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