dominican
dominican Lexical Profile
• adjective
Relating to the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation on the island of Hispaniola, or its people and culture.
"The festival celebrated Dominican music, cuisine, and vibrant cultural traditions."
Relating to Saint Dominic or the Catholic mendicant order of friars, nuns, and sisters that he founded in the 13th century.
"Thomas Aquinas is one of the most influential scholars in the Dominican tradition."
Relating to Dominica, a mountainous island country in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, or its people.
"Researchers studied the unique biodiversity of the Dominican rainforests."
• noun
A native or inhabitant of the Dominican Republic, or a person of Dominican descent.
"Many Dominicans gather with family to celebrate Independence Day every February."
A friar, nun, or lay member of the Catholic Order of Preachers founded by Saint Dominic.
"The medieval university was staffed largely by Franciscans and Dominicans."
A native or inhabitant of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.
"Dominicans take great pride in the unspoiled natural beauty of their island."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the Caribbean nations, Dominican is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (/dəˈmɪnɪkən/) for the Dominican Republic and often on the third syllable (/ˌdɒmɪˈniːkən/) for the island nation of Dominica.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Medieval Latin Dominicanus, referring to Saint Dominic (founder of the Order of Preachers), and from the Spanish and English place names Santo Domingo and Dominica (literally 'Sunday', from Latin dies dominica, 'day of the Lord').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.