Hindoo, noun and & adjective
/ˈhɪnduː/
- Origin:
- English, UrduShow more Transferred sense of general English Hindu (formerly Hindoo) (one) from Hindustan (northern India), (one) of the Hindu faith, from Urdu hindu one who professes Hinduism.
obs. except in historical contexts
A. noun Indian noun sense 1.
1830 Cape of G.H. Lit. Gaz. 15 Sept. 43As you seem surprised at finding any of the followers of Brahma in Africa, I must explain to you that The Hindoos is a sobriquet applied by the local residents to all visitors from India, — whether they be Koeehies from Calcutta, Mulls from Madras, or Ducks from Bombay.
B. adjective Indian adjective sense 1.
1837 ‘N. Polson’ Subaltern’s Sick Leave 78Every Cape spinster (to use the elegant Indian term) is looking out for a Hindoo husband!