First Known Use: 1703
Dictionary
Illinois
noun Il·li·nois \ˌi-lə-ˈnȯi also -ˈnȯiz\
plural Illinois
Definition of ILLINOIS
1
plural : a confederacy of American Indian peoples of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin
2
: a member of any of the Illinois peoples
3
: the Algonquian language of the Illinois
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Origin of ILLINOIS
French, earlier Eriniouai, singular, probably from a word in an Algonquian language derived from Proto-Algonquian *elen- ordinary + *-we· make a sound
Illinois
geographical name Il·li·nois \ˌi-lə-ˈnȯi also -ˈnȯiz\
Definition of ILLINOIS
1
river 273 miles (439 kilometers) Illinois flowing SW into Mississippi River
2
state cen United States ∗ Springfield area 56,400 square miles (146,640 square kilometers), pop 12,830,632
— Il·li·nois·an \ˌi-lə-ˈnȯi-ən also -ˈnȯi-zən\ adjective or noun
ILLINOIS Defined for Kids
Illinois
geographical name Il·li·nois \ˌi-lə-ˈnȯi also -ˈnȯiz\
Definition of ILLINOIS for Kids
state N central U.S.; capital, Springfield
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