Batak

[ buh-tahk, bah- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural Ba·taks, (especially collectively) Ba·tak

a member of a diverse group of Indigenous peoples chiefly inhabiting north-central Sumatra.
any of the Austronesian languages spoken by the Batak in Sumatra.

adjective

of or relating to the Batak of Sumatra.

Batak

[ buh-tahk, bah- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural Ba·taks, (especially collectively) Ba·tak

a member of an Indigenous mountain-dwelling people from northeastern Palawan in the Philippines.
the Austronesian language spoken by the Batak in Palawan.

adjective

of or relating to the Batak of Palawan.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Batak¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Batak (a subgroup of Austronesian languages spoken in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra and adjacent areas); a self-designation

Origin of Batak²

First recorded in 1900–05; from Tagbanwa, Tagbanua, Tagbanuwa (any of three Austronesian languages that are not mutually intelligible)

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Example Sentences

Those of the last island are a very curious people, locally called “Batak.”

From Project Gutenberg

The Batak are not very numerous; their villages have been decimated by ravages of smallpox during the past five years.

From Project Gutenberg

The writer found almost identical beliefs and practices among the Batak and Tagbanua of Palawan.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the horrors at Batak had also aroused the indignation of Russia and the fears of Austria.

From Project Gutenberg

Twelve hundred persons, mostly women and children, took refuge in a church at Batak and were there burnt alive.

From Project Gutenberg

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