asiatic

Everyday

1. From Asia, used mostly in the names of animals and plants, such as the Asiatic lion or the Asiatic black bear. tree →
2. (old-fashioned, can offend) Of people: Asian. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons «Asiatic» appears in names of animals, like the Asiatic lion that lives in India. For people, today we say «Asian»; «Asiatic» about people is old-fashioned and many find it offensive. Phrases: «Asiatic lion», «Asiatic black bear», «Asiatic cheetah».

Examples

• The Asiatic lion lives only in one forest in India. tree →
• The Asiatic black bear has a white V on its chest. tree →
• Asiatic cheetahs are very rare. tree →
• Asiatic lions are a little smaller than African lions. tree →
• Old books sometimes call people «Asiatic», but we say «Asian» now. tree →

Note

Capital A. Use «Asian» for people. The word survives mainly in species names.