Cherokee
UK[ˌtʃɛrəˈkiː]US[ˈtʃɛrəˌkiː]
n
A member of a Native American people originally from the southeastern US, now primarily located in Oklahoma and North Carolina.
n
The Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee people.
n
(lowercase) A large, powerful horse breed developed by the Cherokee people.
Etymology
The word "Cherokee" entered English in the early 18th century, originating from the Cherokee people's own name for themselves, Tsalagi. However, the English form most likely derives from the Creek word čiló-kki, meaning "people of a different speech." This exonym (a name given by outsiders) was adopted by European colonists and traders. Over time, through phonetic adaptation and regular use in English, the term stabilized as "Cherokee," becoming the standard designation for the nation, its language, and associated cultural items, thereby transitioning from an external descriptor to a fixed proper noun in the English lexicon.
Analysis
This is a loanword from the Cherokee language into English. The word's internal structure is not analyzable using English or classical morphemes.
Examples
The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest federally recognized tribes in the United States.
She is studying the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system created by Sequoyah.
He rides a sturdy Cherokee horse through the mountain trails.