fuegian

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   relating to Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago at the southern end of South America

   The expedition crossed a Fuegian channel under cold rain and strong wind.

2. 2
   noun

   historical geographic label for an Indigenous inhabitant of Tierra del Fuego; it covers distinct peoples, so a specific name such as Selk'nam, Yaghan, or Kawesqar is preferable when known

   The modern caption identifies the Fuegian described in the diary as a Yaghan man.

Formed from Fuego in Tierra del Fuego + -ian. Explorers used Fuegian as a broad geographic label for several distinct Indigenous peoples of the archipelago; modern writing should use a specific community name when it is known.

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