azeri
UK[ˈæzəri]US[ˈæzəri]
n
A member of a Turkic people forming the majority of the population of Azerbaijan and also living in Iran.
n
The Turkic language of the Azerbaijani people.
Etymology
The term "Azeri" originates from "Āzarbāyjān", the Persian name for the region of Azerbaijan. This name itself is derived from Middle Persian "Āturpātākān", meaning "the land of Atropates". Atropates was a Persian satrap (governor) who established an independent kingdom in the region following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Over centuries, the name of the land was applied to its inhabitants, and with the Turkification of the population, it came to refer specifically to the Turkic-speaking people dominant in the area. The English form "Azeri" thus encapsulates a complex history of geographical designation, political rule, and ethnic evolution.
Analysis
This is a simplex word. It is an exonym derived from the name of a historical region and people, ultimately from the name of the Persian satrap Atropates. The suffix '-i' is a common Persian suffix meaning 'of or pertaining to', but in the modern English spelling "Azeri", it is not productively segmented as a separate morpheme.
Examples
The majority of citizens in the Republic of Azerbaijan are ethnically Azeri.
She is fluent in Azeri, Russian, and English.
Azeri culture is known for its rich traditions in music, carpet weaving, and cuisine.