Assiniboin

[ uh-sin-uh-boin ]

noun

, plural As·sin·i·boins, (especially collectively) As·sin·i·boin

1. a member of a Siouan people of northeastern Montana and adjacent parts of Canada.
2. the Siouan language spoken by the Assiniboin.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Assiniboin or their language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Assiniboin¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from Canadian French Assiniboine, from Ojibwe (Saulteaux dialect) assini·-pwa·n literally, “stone Sioux” (equivalent to unattested Proto-Algonquian aʔsenyi “stone” + unattested pwa·θa “enemy tribesman”)

Example Sentences

We took this opportunity of sending letters to Europe: the Assiniboin was assigned us for the continuation of the voyage.

From Project Gutenberg

The Assiniboin had already taken our baggage on board, but still lay on the east bank, for an attempt to bring it over to our side had failed, because the water was too low.

From Project Gutenberg

They paid a visit first to the Assiniboin, and then to Mr. Laidlow, who gave them food and tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

While Messrs. Mc Kenzie, Sandford, and Mitchell took up their abode in the fort, we went on board the Assiniboin, from which I made, on the 4th of June, an interesting excursion into the prairie, in order to make myself acquainted with the eastern bank.

From Project Gutenberg

Reminiscences of this warlike experience came to him twenty years later in the Missouri wilderness, when he notes that the song of the Assiniboin warriors before Fort McKenzie resembled that of the Russian soldiers heard in the winter of 1813-14.

From Project Gutenberg