ethnic
UK[ˈeθnɪk]US[ˈeθnɪk]
adj
Relating to a population subgroup with a common national or cultural tradition.
adj
Denoting origin or classification based on shared cultural characteristics rather than biology.
Morpheme Breakdown
ethno
ic
ethno
nation, people
ic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'ethnic' originates from the Greek 'ethnikos', an adjective meaning 'of or pertaining to a nation or people'. This was formed from 'ethnos', which signified a company, band, or tribe of people living together, sharing customs. The term entered English via Late Latin 'ethnicus', initially carrying a sense of 'pagan' or 'heathen', as it distinguished non-Christian nations from the Christian 'ecclesia' (church). Over time, the religious connotation faded, and the modern sense, focusing on shared cultural or national identity, became dominant by the mid-20th century, reflecting the word's return to its core meaning of 'pertaining to a people'.
Analysis
Structure: ethno (nation, people) + ic (adjective suffix)
'ethno' is derived from Greek 'ethnos', meaning a nation, people, or tribe. '-ic' is an English adjective-forming suffix from Latin '-icus', Greek '-ikos', meaning 'of, pertaining to'.
Examples
The city is home to a diverse range of ethnic communities.
They celebrated their ethnic heritage through traditional music and dance.
The study examined ethnic differences in educational attainment.