ˈeθnɪk adj. & n. --adj. 1 a (of a
social group) having a
common national or
cultural tradition. b (of
clothes etc.) resembling
those of a
non-European exotic people. 2 denoting
origin by
birth or
descent rather than nationality (ethnic Turks). 3 relating to race or
culture (ethnic
group; ethnic origins). 4
archaic pagan,
heathen. --n. 1 US a
member of an (esp. minority) ethnic group. 2 (in
pl., usu. treated as sing.) =
ETHNOLOGY. øethnic
minority a (usu. identifiable) group differentiated
from the main
population of a
community by
racial origin or cultural
background. øøethnically adv. ethnicity n. [ME f. eccl.L ethnicus f. Gk ethnikos heathen f. ethnos nation]