Bellabella

noun

Bel·​la·​bel·​la
ˌbe-lə-ˈbe-lə
plural Bellabella or Bellabellas
1
a
: a Wakashan people or group of peoples of the coast of British Columbia
b
: a member of the Bellabella people or group of peoples
2
: the language of the Bellabella people

Word History

Etymology

borrowed (with conformation to bellacoola ) from Heiltsuk (northern Wakashan language of British Columbia) pə́lbálá, originally the name of a village next to Fort McLoughlin, a trading post on Campbell Island

Note: The Heiltsuk name is alleged to be a borrowing from English Milbanke (Sound), an earlier name for Fort McLoughlin.

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Dictionary Entries Near Bellabella

bella

Bellabella

Bella Coola

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bellabella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bellabella. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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