indian

The story

1. Middle French · derived fromindien
2. Anglo-Norman · derived fromindien
3. Middle English · inherited fromIndien
4. English todayIndian

From Middle English Indien, from Anglo-Norman indien, Middle French indien, corresponding to Ind + -ian or India + -an. Applied to inhabitants of the Americas due to an early misconception that the Americas were the eastern end of Asia / the Indies (hence also the designation of Caribbean islands as the West Indies).

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Of or relating to India or its people; or (formerly) of the East Indies.
• from 16th c. Of or relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
• from 17th c. Made with Indian corn or maize.
• from 19th c. Designating any of various chess openings now characterised by black's attempt to control the board through knights and fianchettoed bishops rather than with a central pawn advance.
• from 13th c. A person from the country of India.
• from 16th c. An American Indian, a member of one of the indigenous peoples of the Americas (generally excluding the Aleut, Inuit, Metis, and Yupik).
• from 18th c. An indigenous inhabitant of Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific islands.
• from 20th c. Ellipsis of Indian meal (“meal consisting of Indian cuisine”).