Carib

/ˈkærɪb/ noun

Definition

A member of an indigenous people formerly inhabiting the Caribbean islands and northern South America; also, their language.

Etymology

From Arawakan (indigenous Caribbean language) 'carib' or 'canib,' possibly meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' The term entered English through early colonial contact in the 1400s-1500s.

Kelly Says

The Carib people's name gave us the word 'cannibal'—not because they were uniquely cannibalistic, but because European colonizers used that stereotype to dehumanize them!

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