Acadian

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /əˈkeɪ.di.nÌ©/
• US IPA: /əˈkeɪ.di.nÌ©/, /əˈkeɪ.dÊ’nÌ©/
• Rhymes: -eɪdiÉ™n

Origin

First attested in 1705. From Acadia + -an("one that is").

Full definition of Acadian

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to Acadia, its people, or their language or culture. First attested in the early 19th century.
2. (geology) Of or pertaining to the Acadian epoch.

Usage notes

The second US pronunciation is a rarely used historical version, that lead to the word Cajun.

MW3 1976

Derived terms

• Acadian epoch
• Acadian French
• Acadian owl

Proper noun

1. A native of Acadia or their descendants who moved to Louisiana; a Cajun. First attested in the early 18th century.

1. (Canada) A French speaking descendant of the early settlers in the Maritime Provinces.
2. (rare) Acadian French: the form of French spoken in Acadia.In many places, Acadian has been supplanted by English and by Standard French.
3. (rare) Acadian epoch; the Middle Cambrian; the geologic time period from 497 million year ago to 509 million year ago.The Burgess Shale contains fossils of very odd organisms that lived during the Acadian.

Derived terms

• Cajun