kootenai
kootenai Lexical Profile
• noun
North American A member of a Native American and First Nations people traditionally inhabiting the Columbia River basin in present-day Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.
"The Kootenai have a rich cultural history deeply connected to the waterways of the Pacific Northwest."
North American A major river in North America that originates in British Columbia, Canada, and flows through northwestern Montana and northern Idaho before joining the Columbia River.
North American The language spoken by the Kootenai people, which is considered a language isolate with no established relationship to other known language families.
"Efforts are ongoing to preserve and revitalize Kootenai among the younger generations."
• adjective
North American Of or relating to the Kootenai people, their traditional culture, or their language.
"The museum features an extensive collection of traditional Kootenai beadwork and artifacts."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling 'Kootenai' is predominantly used in the United States (Idaho and Montana), whereas 'Kootenay' is the standard spelling in Canada (British Columbia). The people formally refer to themselves as the Ktunaxa.
• Rhymes for kootenai
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Blackfoot word 'Kutonáhwa', a name applied to the people. The exact original meaning is uncertain, but it became the standard exonym adopted by European explorers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.