a. and sb. Also 7 Europian, -æan. [ad. Fr. européen, f. L. eurōpæus, f. Eurōpa, a. Gr. Εὐρώπη Europe.] A. adj.
1. Belonging to Europe, or its inhabitants.
In India, European (not ‘English’ or ‘British’) is the official designation applied to the troops sent from the United Kingdom, as distinguished from the native soldiers.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1638), 152. At such time as he was by the Europian Tartars deliuered.
1624. Bedell, Lett., iv. 78. On the Christian and Europæan side, was the word, Et erunt Reges nutritij tui.
1632. Massinger, Maid of Honour, I. i. England, The empress of the European isles.
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., I. i. Polish’d Arts of Europæan Courts.
1862. Dana, Man. Geol., 559. The European caves were mostly caves of Bears.
1878. Morley, Carlyle, Crit. Misc. Ser. I. 198. Spain was finally thrust from among the efficient elements in the European State-system.
b. Taking place in, or extending over, Europe.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Warrs, 675. Their Ancestors … were not content with European Victories.
1837. Lockhart, Scott (1839), IX. 359. The popularity of Sir Walter Scott—European and more than European as it was—had its most vigorous roots at the threshold of his own home.
Mod. A scholar of European celebrity.
2. Comb.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 63. They had five or six European-built ships.
B. sb. A native of Europe.
1632. Massinger, City Madam, III. iii. (1658), 48. You are learn’d Europians, and wee worse Then ignorant Americans.
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., ccciv. Iudging Soules (Europeans are soe) Laught at them afeard.
1692. in Coles.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 360. Europeans in India rarely possessing … the inclination to invest capital in landed property.
1858. J. B. Norton, Topics, 64. He had saved the lives of three Europeans.
