adat

noun

ˈä-ˌdät
plural -s
: local customary law especially of Islamic-Malay tradition in Indonesia

Word History

Etymology

Malay, from Arabic ʽādah custom, usage

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adat was in 1783

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!

Dictionary Entries Near adat

Cite this Entry

“Adat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adat. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!