Maliseet

[ mal-uh-seet ]

noun

, plural Ma·li·seets, (especially collectively) Ma·li·seet

1. Also called Wo·las·to·qiy·ik [w, uh, -, luhs, -t, uh, -kwee-ik]. a member of an Indigenous people of southern and western New Brunswick and northern Maine.
2. Also called Wo·las·to·qey [w, uh, -, luhs, -t, uh, -kee]. the Eastern Algonquian language of the Maliseet, mutually intelligible with Passamaquoddy.

adjective

1. Sometimes Offensive. Also Wo·las·to·qi []. of or relating to the Maliseet or their language.

Maliseet

/ ˈmælɪˌsiːt /

noun

1. a member of a Native Canadian people of New Brunswick and E Quebec
2. the Algonquian language of this people

Sensitive Note

The word Maliseet comes from a Mi’kmaq word meaning “he speaks slowly; he speaks unintelligibly.” Because of this word origin, and because Maliseet is not this people's own name for themselves, the term is sometimes considered offensive. The group's self-designation is Wolastoqiyik, and their language is called Wolastoqey.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Maliseet¹

First recorded in 1740–50; earlier Malecite, from French Malécite, from Mi'kmaq mali⋅sit “he speaks slowly; he speaks unintelligibly”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Maliseet¹

from Micmac malisiit one speaking an incomprehensible language

Example Sentences

With that end in view he proceeded to Quebec and returned with a supply of powder, lead and ball for his Maliseet warriors.

From Project Gutenberg