—adj.
1 of, relating to, or characteristic of the United States or its inhabitants.
2 (usu. in comb.) of or relating to the continents of America (Latin-American).
—n.
1 a native or citizen of the United States.
2 (usu. in comb.) a native or inhabitant of the continents of America (North Americans).
3 the English language as it is used in the United States.
Phrases and idioms:
American dream the traditional ideals of the American people, such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity. American football a kind of football played with an oval ball, evolved from Rugby football. American Indian see INDIAN.
Etymology: mod.L Americanus f. America f. Latinized name of Amerigo Vespucci, It. navigator d. 1512
Useful english dictionary. 2012.