Sahaptin

[ sah-hap-tuhn ]

noun

, plural Sa·hap·tins, (especially collectively) Sa·hap·tin

1. a member of any of several American Indian peoples of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
2. Also called Ich·ish·kíin Sín·wit [ich, -ish-kin , sin, -wit]. a language used by several American Indian tribes of the Columbia River basin, including the Yakama.
3. a branch of the Penutian language family consisting of Ichishkíin Sínwit and Nez Perce.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Sahaptin or to their languages.

Sahaptin

/ sɑːˈhæptɪən; sɑːˈhæptən; sɑːˈhæptɪn /

noun

1. -tins-tans-tians-tin-tan-tian a member of a North American Indian people of Oregon and Washington, including the Nez Percé
2. the language of this people

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sahaptin¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from Southern Interior Salish sʕaptnx “Nez Perce, Sahaptin”

Example Sentences

Fig. 256 represents a Sahaptin sign given to the writer by a gentleman long familiar with the northwestern tribes of Indians.

From Project Gutenberg

The following grammatical notes will serve to illustrate the Yakima and some of the other languages of the Sahaptin family.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule the richest tribes and individuals use skins, although many of the finest Sahaptin houses are covered with mats only.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sahaptin family seem to have been in general of the best grade of Indians.

From Project Gutenberg

Of all these tribes, the Nez Perces or Sahaptin were the most numerous and progressive.

From Project Gutenberg