Meanings
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1
noun
a member of an Indigenous minority people of Sri Lanka, also known by the self-designation Wanniyalaeto
A Vedda community leader described current efforts to protect ancestral lands.
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2
noun
the endangered language variety traditionally associated with Vedda communities in Sri Lanka
The recording preserves songs and vocabulary in Vedda.
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3
adj
relating to the Vedda people, their language, or their culture
The exhibition was revised after consultation with Vedda representatives.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Borrowed through Sinhala or Tamil forms meaning 'hunter,' ultimately related to Sanskrit vyadha, 'hunter.' Vedda is the common modern English spelling; Veddah and the plural Veddahs are historical variants. Some communities use the self-designation Wanniyalaeto.