Definition of "Frisian"

A Germanic language group or language (see Usage notes), or a lect thereof, which descended from Old Frisian, with speakers in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

1. (specifically) The West Frisian (or Western Frisian) lect, spoken in the northern Netherlands.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • In the province of Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, a high percentage of the population, about 350000, speak Frisian as their first language.

     1998, Colin Baker, Sylvia Prys Jones, Encyclopedia of bilingualism and bilingual education, page 405

   • This means that full competence in both Frisian and Dutch (ie understanding, speaking, reading and writing ability) is aimed at all pupils in the province, whether they speak Frisian or Dutch at home.

     2000, Jasone Cenoz, Ulrike Jessner, English in Europe: the acquisition of a third language, page 223

   • Many Frisians speak Frisian at home and Dutch at work.

     2005, Pat Seward, Sunandini Arora Lal, Netherlands, page 89

2. (specifically) Saterland Frisian, the last surviving dialect of the East Frisian lect, spoken in Northern Germany close to the Dutch border.  examples

3. (specifically) The North Frisian lect, spoken in northwestern Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.  examples

A member of the Germanic ethnic group which is native to the region of Frisia (which is in the Netherlands, northern Germany, and southern Denmark).  examples

A person who is from or who has long resided in the Dutch province of Friesland.  examples

Of, in or relating to the Frisian language or a Frisian language.  examples

Of or relating to the natives or inhabitants of Frisia; to people of Frisian descent.  examples

Of or relating to the region of Frisia.  examples

Of or relating to the natives or inhabitants of the Dutch province of Friesland.  examples

Of or relating to the Dutch province of Friesland.  examples