Caucasian
UK: kɔːˈkeɪziən | US: kɔːˈkeɪʒən
adj. relating to the Caucasus region or its peoples
adj. (anthropology) of or denoting a racial classification traditionally characterized by light skin pigmentation
n. a person from the Caucasus region
n. (anthropology, dated) a member of the so-called "white" racial group
Derived from the Caucasus mountain region between Europe and Asia, the term was coined by German anthropologist Johann Blumenbach (1752–1840). He erroneously proposed that the "white race" originated there, using a skull from Georgia as his model. The suffix "-ian" denotes relation, forming an adjective/noun. While the racial classification is now scientifically discredited, the term persists in legal and colloquial contexts.
The study focused on genetic diversity among Caucasian populations in the Caucasus.
In outdated racial taxonomy, Caucasians were considered one of three major human groups.
She traced her ancestry to both Caucasian and Mediterranean origins.
The term "Caucasian" is increasingly replaced by more precise geographic or cultural descriptors.
Early 20th-century immigration policies favored Caucasian applicants.