Sioux
UK[suː]US[suː]
n
A member of a group of Native American peoples originally inhabiting the northern Great Plains of North America.
n
The Siouan language family or any of its languages spoken by these peoples.
Etymology
The term 'Sioux' entered English via French, which borrowed it from the Ojibwe language. The Ojibwe word 'nadouessioux' was a descriptive term, likely derived from elements meaning "to speak a foreign language" or metaphorically "little adder/snake," reflecting intertribal relations. French traders and explorers truncated this to 'Sioux', which was then adopted into English as the common designation. It is important to note that this is an exonym; the peoples themselves traditionally use autonyms like Dakota, Lakota, or Nakota, meaning "allies" or "friends."
Analysis
The word 'Sioux' is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Ojibwe (an Algonquian language) word 'nadouessioux', a shortened form meaning "little snakes" or "enemies." The French-Canadian explorers recorded it as 'Sioux'. It functions as an exonym (a name given by outsiders) for the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota peoples.
Examples
The Sioux, including the Lakota and Dakota nations, played a pivotal role in the history of the American West.
She is studying the grammar and syntax of the Sioux language family.
The treaty was signed between the U.S. government and several bands of the Sioux.