Catawba

[ kuh-taw-buh ]

noun

1. a Siouan language of North and South Carolina.
2. a river flowing from W North Carolina into South Carolina, where it becomes the Wateree River. Compare Wateree.
3. Horticulture.
   1. a reddish variety of grape.
   2. the vine bearing this fruit, grown in the eastern U.S.
4. a light, dry, white wine made from this grape.

Catawba

/ kəˈtɔːbə /

noun

1. -ba-bas a member of a North American Indian people, formerly of South Carolina, now almost extinct
2. their language, belonging to the Siouan family
3. a cultivated variety of red North American grape, widely grown in the eastern US
4. the wine made from these grapes

Word History and Origins

Origin of Catawba¹

1710–20, Americanism; apparently ultimately < Catawba ( yį́ ) kátapu a village name, literally, (people of ) the fork; perhaps via Shawnee kata·pa

Example Sentences

The visionary behind it, Nicholas Longworth was convinced Catawba would become the greatest grape in America, possibly the world.

From The Daily Beast

I now write from a log cabin situated on the Catawba river, and in one of the most beautiful of valleys.

From Project Gutenberg

The Catawba laughed, an Indian laugh, silent and suppressed; a mere shaking of the ribs.

From Project Gutenberg

When we had launched the canoe, and were afloat and ready for the start, the Catawba was still missing.

From Project Gutenberg

"'Tis the Catawba's arrow," said Jennifer, though how he knew I could not guess; and then he cut the threads to free the scroll.

From Project Gutenberg

His place was well named for he was a great horticulturist, the first to domesticate the Catawba grape.

From Project Gutenberg