pidgin

English

/ˈpɪ.dʒɪn/, /ˈpɪ.dʒən/

noun
Definitions
  • (linguistics) An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers.
  • (archaic) A person's business, occupation, work, or trade.

Etymology

Derived from English business borrowed from Hebrew (modern) פִּדְיוֹן (exchange, redemption, trade) derived from Portuguese ocupação (business, occupation), baixo (low).

Origin

Portuguese

baixo

Gloss

low

Concept
Semantic Field

Spatial relations

Ontological Category

Other

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms