American

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to the United States, its people, or its culture

   The American scientist presented her findings at the international conference.

2. 2
   noun

   a citizen or inhabitant of the United States

   He is an American who has lived in France for several years.

3. 3
   adj

   relating to North America, South America, or the Americas as a whole

   Many American bird species migrate across national borders.

Formed from America + -an. America is the Latinized feminine form of Americus, from the given name of explorer Amerigo Vespucci; Martin Waldseemuller applied it to the newly mapped continent in 1507.

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