{ } a. [ L. ethnicus, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; nation, &unr_; &unr_; the nations, heathens, gentiles: cf. F. ethnique. ] 1. Belonging to races or nations; based on distinctions of race; ethnological. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Pertaining to the gentiles, or nations not converted to Christianity; heathen; pagan; -- opposed to Jewish and Christian. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. of or pertaining to a group having a distinct racial, cultural, religious or linguistic character; as, ethnic differences within a population can cause civil war. [ PJC ] 4. being a member of a distinct racial or cultural minority within a larger population; as, ethnic Chinese own most of the businesses in Indonesia. [ PJC ] Variants: Ethnic | 
