Definition of Pidgin

1. Noun. An artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages.

Generic synonyms: Artificial Language
Specialized synonyms: Chinook Jargon, Oregon Jargon

Definition of Pidgin

1. Noun. (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. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pidgin

1. a mixed language [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pidgin

piddle away
piddled
piddler
piddlers
piddles
piddlier
piddliest
piddling
piddlingly
piddly
piddock
piddocks
pide
pidgeon
pidgeons
pidgin (current term)
pidginization
pidginizations
pidginize
pidginized
pidginizes
pidginizing
pidgins
pie
pie-chucker
pie-dog
pie-eater
pie-eyed
pie-faced
pie-hole

Literary usage of Pidgin

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Books in General: By Solomon Eagle [pseud.] by John Collings Squire (1920)
"pidgin-English for Germans Handbuch fur Neger-Englisch an der Westkuste Afrikas unter besonderer Berucksichtigung von Kamerun: von Gun- ther v. ..."

2. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1907)
"... By CHARLES FELTON pidgin Author of "Quincy Adams Sawyer" and "Blennerhassett" Full Fun and Frolic An Unique Plot! Witty Dialogue A merry and captivating ..."

3. Things Chinese: Being Notes on Various Subjects Connected with China by James Dyer Ball (1893)
"One very curious feature in the employment of pidgin-English, is to find Chinese from different parts ... Topside Galow 1 Joss-pidgin-man he soon begin, . ..."

4. A Magician in Many Lands by Charles Bertram (1911)
"The Chinaman's pidgin English sounds very curious to those unaccustomed to ... The following is a small vocabulary of useful words in pidgin English. chop ..."

5. Literary News by L. Pylodet, Augusta Harriet (Garrigue) Leypoldt (1901)
"It is in his conception of these three men that Mr. pidgin must rest his claim to be a student of American history. His readers may not all agree that ..."

6. The New Review edited by Archibald Grove, William Ernest Henley (1897)
"The vocabulary of pidgin is made up of three classes of words: (l) words purely ... pidgin " is nothing but the word " business," as supposed to have been ..."

7. A Parody Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1904)
"... was quite unknown ; For he the lean did eat, and she the fat, And thus the dinner-platter was all cleared. Anonymous. NURSERY SONG IN pidgin ENGLISH ..."

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