DCHP-1 Online
American ((adj.)) 
1 adj. Obs. of or having to do with aboriginal languages in North America.
- 1844 The whole fabric of language as exhibited in the American idioms, compared with European tongues, is of a very peculiar structure, cast, as it appears, in a very different mould from ours, and offering to the grammarian a novel and singularly organized system of speech, and to the metaphysician a new view of the operations of the human mind
2 adj. of or having to do with America (def. 1).
See also: America
- 1744 The American Oxen, or Beeves, have a large Bunch upon their Backs, which is by far the most delicious Part of them for Food, it being all as sweet as Marrow, juicy and rich, and weighs several Pounds.
- 1830 I do not take into account those worthies who, according to the definition of the term "Squire" given by the little American boy, "'tend court and justice meetings," and on other days "help the mister there at the tavern."
- 1845 By far the greater proportion of the assembly have the dark eyes and intellectual expression of face which declares them of American origin; and, sprinkled among them, are the features which tell of England's born.
3 adj. of or having to do with the United States of America.
- 1776
United let's live, or united let's die,
If conquer'd let who will survive it, not I;
I'd rather be laid in an untimely Grave,
Than live half an Hour an American Slave. - 1879 This is the "glorious fourth of July," so dear to the hearts of our American cousins.
- 1957 The "main road" paralleled the Red River, and warrior, explorer, priest and homesteader plodded the road, from the American boundary to Fort Garry.
- 1844 The whole fabric of language as exhibited in the American idioms, compared with European tongues, is of a very peculiar structure, cast, as it appears, in a very different mould from ours, and offering to the grammarian a novel and singularly organized system of speech, and to the metaphysician a new view of the operations of the human mind