Yapese

English

Etymology

From Yap +‎ -ese.

Proper noun

Yapese

1. The Austronesian language spoken in the Federated States of Micronesia, especially by the inhabitants of Yap.

See also

• Wiktionary's coverage of Yapese terms

Adjective

Yapese (comparative more Yapese, superlative most Yapese)

1. Of or pertaining to the people of the island of Yap or the Yapese language.

Noun

Yapese (plural Yapese)

1. (chiefly in the plural) A native or inhabitant of Yap.
   • 2009, Patrick J. Welch, Gerry F. Welch, Economics: Theory and Practice, page 206:

     Unlike most money, stones sometimes can buy happiness, of a sort; if a Yapese wants to settle an argument, he brings his adversary stone money as a token.

Usage notes

As with other terms for people formed with -ese, the countable singular noun in reference to a person (as in "I am a Yapese", "writing about Yapese cuisine as a Yapese") is uncommon and often taken as incorrect. In its place, the adjective is used, by itself (as in "I am Yapese") or before a noun like person, man, or woman ("writing about Yapese cuisine as a Yapese person"). See also -ish, which is similarly only used primarily as an adjective or as a plural noun.

Further reading

• Ethnologue entry for Yapese, yap ⁠

Anagrams

• payees, sea pye