Motilon
/məʊtɪˈləʊn/(also Motilón, Motilone, Motilones)
noun
1A member of any of various peoples living in and around the Colombian and Venezuelan Andes and in the lowlands around Lake Maracaibo.
- The peoples are divided into two main groups living in geographically contiguous areas, but with distinct languages and cultures. The better-known group, known locally as Motilones bravos and speaking a Chibchan language, are now more commonly called the Bari. The lesser-known Motilones mansos, speakers of a Carib language, are now commonly called the Yukpa..
2Any of several unrelated languages spoken by the Motilon peoples, notably the Chibchan language of the Bari or the Carib language of the Yukpa.
- The language of the Yukpa is also known as Carib Motilon or Northern Motilon..
adjective
Of, designating, or relating to the Motilon.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From Spanish motilón, lit. ‘shaven-headed one’ from motilar to cut the hair, Aragonese variant of mutilar to mutilate from classical Latin mutilāre + -on.