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Entry 6 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Ethnic

/ĕth'-nĭk/ · Eth·nic · IPA /ˈɛθ.nɪk/
01 a. Belonging to races or nations; based on distinctions of race; ethnological.
  1. 1.
    Belonging to races or nations; based on distinctions of race; ethnological.
  2. 2.
    Pertaining to the gentiles, or nations not converted to Christianity; heathen; pagan; -- opposed to Jewish and Christian.
  3. 3.
    of or pertaining to a group having a distinct racial, cultural, religious or linguistic character; as, ethnic differences within a population can cause civil war.
  4. 4.
    being a member of a distinct racial or cultural minority within a larger population; as, ethnic Chinese own most of the businesses in Indonesia.
02 n. A heathen; a pagan.
  1. 1.
    A heathen; a pagan.[Obs.]
    “No better reported than impure ethnic and lay dogs.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    a member of an ethnic group.