American Indian

Etymology
+ . The noun is attested since 1702, the adjective since shortly thereafter.

Noun

 * 1) A member of some indigenous peoples of the Americas, especially the continental United States, but excluding the Inuit, Yupik, and Aleuts.
 * 2)  An indigenous person from the United States.

Usage notes

 * The term American Indian is generally accepted and sometimes replaced by Native American. However, it may cause offense if intended to include Canadian First Nations people.
 * This term can sometimes be confused with 'Indian-American' (i.e. an immigrant or descendant of an immigrant from India).
 * According to the National Museum of the American Indian, American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native are commonly acceptable terms. However, Native people often prefer to be called by their specific tribal name.

Synonyms

 * See also Thesaurus:Native American

Adjective

 * 1) Relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas or their languages.