Cree, n. and a.
(kriː)
Also † Cris, Kris.
[ad. Canad.-Fr. Cris, short for earlier Cristinaux, Christinaux, f. 17th-cent. Algonquin *kiristino (cf. Fr. Kiristinon, etc.), mod. Algonquin kinistino, showing the regular replacement of earlier r by n.]
A. n.
1. An Indian people of central N. America; a member of this people.
2. The Algonquian language of the Cree people. B. adj. Of or pertaining to this people or their language.
| 1744 in A. Dobbs Acct. Countries adjoining Hudson's Bay (caption, facing p. ii), Cris or Cristinaux N[ation]. 1760 in T. Jefferys Nat. & Civil Hist. Fr. Dominions I. 1 (caption) Kris of the Lakes. Ibid., Kris named also Christinaux and Killistins. 1780 in Cumberland & Hudson House Jrnls. 1775–82 2nd Ser. (1952) XV. 91 At 10 a.m. finished of Trading of furrs and Provisions, with the Cree Indians. 1809 in J. Bain A. Henry's Trav. & Adv. in Canada 1760–75 (1901) ii. iv. 208 The same with Kinistinaux, Killistinoes, Criqs, Cris, Crees, &c. Ibid. xv. 332 Though we conversed with these people in the Cree, or Cristinaux language, which is the usual medium of communication, they were Chepewyans or Rocky Mountain Indians. 1823 in R. H. Fleming Minutes of Council of N. Dept. Ruperts Land (1940) 44 That a Junior Clerk and two men be appointed to attend the Crees of Pierre a Calumet next summer for the purpose of Collecting provisions. 1843 J. Bird Let. 8 Aug. in J. Howse Gram. Cree Lang. (1844) p. xv, The Rev. Mr. Smithurst has, by well studying your Grammar, been enabled to read the Communion Service to the Swampeys, in Cree, a few days ago. Ibid. p. xvi, The knowledge of the Cree language. 1844 Ibid. p. viii, The grammatical system of the Crees (and Chippeways) is composed of the same philological elements as are found in the Grammars of cultivated languages. Ibid. 3 An analytical and grammatical view of the Cree dialect. 1907 L. H. Morgan Anc. Society ii. iv. 116 The dances of the Dakotas, the Crees,..and of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, are the same in general character. 1933 Bloomfield Language iv. 72 The Algonquian family..includes the languages of eastern and central Canada (Micmac, Montagnais, Cree). 1936 D. McCowan Anim. Canad. Rockies x. 91 Cree Indian women make use of the pelts. 1964 P. Worsley in I. L. Horowitz New Sociol. xxii. 379 Northern Saskatchewan..still is inhabited by a sparse population of Cree and Chipewyan Indians. 1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 13 Feb. 3/2 The children, Cree pupils in Grade 3.., wrote stories..that have been collected in book form by the Indian Affairs Branch. |