Asian


of, belonging to, or characteristic of or its inhabitants.
a native or inhabitant of , or a person of Asian descent.
Contemporary Examples

Forest elephants are a separate species, smaller than savannah or Asian elephants.
The Secret Language of Elephants Bob Simon December 30, 2009

For decades the West has shunned the Asian country, whose ruling generals brutally repressed their own people.
Hillary Clinton Visits Burma Amidst Burmese Spring Ron Gluckman December 1, 2011

We need to campaign among Hispanic, black, Asian and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them, too.
Sore Losers: 7 Juicy Bits From the GOP’s Autopsy Report Caitlin Dickson March 17, 2013

The world of the Asian 99 percent—just a few billion people—is nowhere to be found.
Gatsby in Asia Ross Perlin June 28, 2013

The Asian auctions led the way for Chinese art but London and New York were quick to follow.
How China Conquered the Art World Arne Glimcher March 10, 2009

Historical Examples

But as we neared the point of Chalcedon, running along the Asian shore, those airy piles gathered form and substance.
The Lands of the Saracen Bayard Taylor

There was also an Australian opal and an Asian emerald, the latter greener than the grass.
The Paliser case Edgar Saltus

They are confined chiefly to the larger islands south and west of the Asian continent.
Wealth of the World’s Waste Places and Oceania
Jewett Castello Gilson

Malagigi sat repenting in his Asian grotto, like S. Gerolamo in the pictures.
Castellinaria Henry Festing Jones

By the ministrations of St. Paul and his fellow-labourers the feet of these Asian converts had been set in the right way.
The Expositor’s Bible: The Epistles of St. Peter J. Rawson Lumby

adjective
of or relating to Asia or to any of its peoples or languages
(Brit) of or relating to natives of the Indian subcontinent or any of their descendants, esp when living in Britain
noun
a native or inhabitant of Asia or a descendant of one
(Brit) a native of the Indian subcontinent or a descendant of one
n.

late 14c., “inhabitant of Asia (Minor),” from Latin Asianus (adjective and noun, “belonging to the province of Asia;” “an inhabitant of Asia”), from Greek Asianos, from Asia (see Asia). Ousted Asiatic as the preferred term in Britain c.1950.

The term “Asiatic” has come to be regarded with disfavour by those to whom it is applied, and they feel entitled to be brought into line with usage in regard to Europeans, Americans and Australians. [“Times Literary Supplement,” Feb. 6, 1953]

As an adjective in English, by 1690s.

Read Also:

  • Asian-american

    a citizen or resident of the U.S. of Asian birth or descent. of or relating to Asian-Americans or their culture. Contemporary Examples By any measure, Diane Tran is that “model minority” Asian-American teen you think you already know. Texas Teenager Diane Tran Jailed for Working Hard Joie Chen May 30, 2012 Since 1990, the state’s […]

  • Asian brown cloud

    noun See brown cloud

  • Asian elephant

    noun an elephant having smaller ears, one projection on the trunk, and tusks primarily in the male; Indian elephant Examples Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants. Word Origin 1818

  • Asian flu

    a form of epidemic influenza caused by a virus believed to have been carried from Asia in the late 1950s. noun a type of influenza recurring in worldwide epidemics, caused by a virus (A2 strain or subsequent antigenic variants), which apparently originated in China in 1957 noun a virulent type of influenza that appears in […]

  • Asian pear

    an Asian tree also cultivated in Australia and New Zealand, Pyrus pyrifolia, of the rose family, having apple-shaped, pear-colored, juicy fruit. the fruit of this plant. noun a tropical pear tree, esp any of several varieties of Japanese pear Pyrus serotina Also called nashi. the fruit of the Japanese pear, which resembles a large yellow […]


Disclaimer: Asian definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.