Melanesian definition | Dictionary.com

Mel⋅a⋅ne⋅sian

[mel-uh-nee-zhuh

n, -shuh

–adjective

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

–noun

2.	a member of any of the native peoples inhabiting Melanesia.

3.	the Austronesian languages of Melanesia, taken collectively.

Origin:
1840–50; Melanesi(a) + -an

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Mel·a·ne·sian   (měl'ə-nē'zhən, -shən) Pronunciation Key
adj.   Of or relating to Melanesia or its peoples, languages, or cultures.
n.

A member of any of the indigenous peoples of Melanesia.
A subfamily of the Austronesian languages that includes the languages of Melanesia.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Melanesian

1849, in ref. to Melanesia, one of three large divisions of Pacific islands, from Gk. melano-, comb. form of melas (gen. melanos) "black" (see melanin) + nesos "island." Modeled after Polynesia and meant to signify "the islands inhabited by blacks."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

melanesian
adjective
of or relating to Melanesia or its people or culture

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Melanesian

Mel`a*ne"sian\, a. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black + ? island. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the natives.] Of or pertaining to Melanesia.

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