Abyssinian

noun

Ab·​ys·​sin·​i·​an ˌa-bə-ˈsi-nē-ən How to pronounce Abyssinian (audio)
-ˈsi-nyən
plural Abyssinians
1
: any of a breed of medium-sized slender domestic cats of African origin with short usually brownish hair ticked with bands of darker color
2
dated : a native or inhabitant of Abyssinia : ethiopian sense 1
Abyssinian adjective

Illustration of Abyssinian

Illustration of abyssinian
  • Abyssinian 1

Examples of Abyssinian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An unexpected appearance by Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean was just one of the many riveting moments at the celebration of life honoring the legendary Roberta Flack inside Harlem, New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church on Monday (March 10). — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019 Finally, for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Rev. Earle J. Fisher, PhD, senior pastor of Memphis’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and founder of UPTheVote901, wrote about Kamala Harris’s historic presidential nomination and its potential impact on other Black female political leaders. — Andrea Williams, The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Abyssinia, kingdom in Africa

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Abyssinian was in 1703

Rhymes for Abyssinian

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Abyssinian
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Cite this Entry

“Abyssinian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Abyssinian. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Abyssinian

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