Dravidian language

noun

: a language of a family of languages that are used in southern India, northern Sri Lanka, and in the isolated case of Brahui in Pakistan, that have no established genetic relationship to any other family, and that are classified into a Dravida group comprising Tamil, Malayalam, Kanarese, Kurukh, and Malto, an Andhra group comprising Telugu, Gondi, and Khond, and a Brahui group containing only Brahui

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!