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

The settlement for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, stipulates they’re bound by state law and treated like municipalities in many cases.

From Washington Times

The agreement for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, allows them to be treated much like municipalities subject to state law instead of dealing directly with the federal government like other tribes.

From Seattle Times

The settlement for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, stipulates they’re bound by state law, and treated like municipalities in many cases.

From Seattle Times

That 1980 settlement for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, set the tribes apart from others in the country.

From Seattle Times

That settlement for the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, put the tribes in Maine on a different path from others elsewhere in the country.

From Seattle Times