Metis

See also: metis, métis, and Métis

English

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French métis, from Old French mestis, from Late Latin mixtīcius. Métis originally referred to Francophone and Cree-speaking descendants of the French-Catholic Red River Métis in Manitoba. Compare mestizo.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /meɪˈtiː(s)/

Proper noun

Metis

  1. (Canada) One of three recognized Aboriginal peoples of Canada, descendants of marriages of Cree, Ojibwa, Saulteaux, and Menominee Aboriginal people with French Canadians, Scots and English.

Noun

Metis (plural Metis)

  1. (chiefly Canada) A person of mixed European and Aboriginal descent. Often uncapitalized as metis.
Synonyms
  • Bois Brule, Bois Brulé
  • country born
  • mixed-blood
  • (pejorative, offensive): half-breed
Translations

Usage notes

The Canadian Oxford Dictionary uses the spelling Metis, but Métis with the acute accent is used officially by organizations such as the Métis National Council and the Government of Canada.

References

  • “Metis” in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2004.
  • Métis people (Canada) in Wikipedia (accessed 2008-04-04).

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek Μῆτις (Mêtis) from Ancient Greek μῆτις (mêtis, wisdom)}

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmiːtɨs/

Proper noun

Metis astronomical symbol

Metis

  1. (Greek mythology) A Titan who was the personification of wisdom, the first spouse of Zeus, and the mother of Athena
  2. (astronomy) A satellite of Jupiter.
  3. (astronomy) 9 Metis, a main belt asteroid.
Derived terms
Translations
See also

Anagrams

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