dakota
dakota Lexical Profile
• noun
A member of a Native American people comprising the eastern and central divisions of the Great Sioux Nation, traditionally inhabiting the northern Mississippi Valley and the Great Plains of the United States and Canada.
"Historians worked closely with elders of the Dakota to preserve oral histories of the region."
The Siouan language spoken by the Dakota people, closely related to and mutually intelligible with Lakota.
"Several community colleges in Minnesota and the Dakotas offer courses in Dakota to revitalize the language."
American A former organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from 1861 until 1889, when it was divided and admitted to the Union as the states of North Dakota and South Dakota.
"Settlers arrived in Dakota by the thousands during the late nineteenth-century railroad boom."
• adjective
Relating to the Dakota people, their culture, or their Siouan language.
"The museum curated an exhibition showcasing traditional Dakota beadwork and quillwork."
• Rhymes for dakota
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Dakota Dakhóta or Lakhóta, literally meaning 'friend' or 'ally', referring to the confederated tribes of the Great Sioux Nation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.