Costanoan

[ koh-stuh-noh-uhn, kos- ]

noun

1. a family of eight languages, now extinct, spoken by American Indian peoples of Penutian descent residing in coastal California.
2. any of the speakers of these languages or their descendants, who traditionally inhabited the coast and adjacent river valleys from San Francisco Bay south to Monterey Bay and Point Sur.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Costanoans or their language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Costanoan¹

First recorded in 1885–90; alteration of American Spanish costeño “coast dweller,” equivalent to cost(a) + -eño noun suffix; coast, cuesta; -an ( def )

Example Sentences

It is quite true that some of the tribal groups inhabiting this territory may not have been members of the Costanoan stock.

From Project Gutenberg

They probably had just left Costanoan territory, although, to be sure, the exact tribal boundaries are unknown.

From Project Gutenberg

Kroeber classes Saclan as doubtfully Costanoan, but shows the group as Costanoan on his large colored tribal map.

From Project Gutenberg

The Abastos, it may be pointed out, were neither Costanoan nor resident on the east side of the Bay.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the Southern Costanoan peoples creation myths resembling those of the Yokuts are found.

From Project Gutenberg