Iraqi
UK[ɪˈrɑːki]US[ɪˈrɑːki]
adj
Relating to Iraq, its people, or their language.
n
A native or inhabitant of Iraq.
Etymology
The term "Iraqi" is a modern English formation, directly derived from the geographical name "Iraq". The country name "Iraq" itself originates from the Arabic "al-ʿIrāq", which historically referred to the region of southern Mesopotamia. The Arabic term is believed to derive from the Middle Persian "ērāg", meaning "lowlands". The English suffix "-i" is a common linguistic device borrowed from Semitic languages (like Arabic "-ī" and Hebrew "-i") via Latin and French, used to form adjectives and demonyms meaning "belonging to" or "relating to". Thus, "Iraqi" logically constructs the meaning "of or pertaining to Iraq", following a pattern established for many Middle Eastern and South Asian regional names.
Analysis
The word is a proper adjective/noun derived from the country name "Iraq" with the addition of the English adjectival/nominal suffix "-i". The base "Iraq" is a toponym of Arabic origin.
Examples
The museum has a valuable collection of Iraqi antiquities.
She is an Iraqi who has lived abroad for many years.
They are studying the Iraqi dialect of Arabic.