dominican

Dominican has multiple meanings in English. It can refer to a person from the Dominican Republic, a citizen or native of the Caribbean nation, or to a member of the Dominican Order, a Catholic religious order. It can also serve as an adjective relating to Saint Dominic or to things associated with the order.

Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic is a sovereign state in the Caribbean, occupying the eastern portion of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Its capital is Santo Domingo, founded in 1496 and considered the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The official language is Spanish. The country has a diverse culture shaped by African, European, and indigenous influences. The economy relies on services, tourism, manufacturing, and remittances, and the Dominican diaspora is large, particularly in the United States.

Dominican Order: Also known as the Order of Preachers, the Dominican Order is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic in the early 13th century. Its members, the Dominicans, emphasize preaching, education, and scholarship. The order established convents, schools, and universities worldwide and has played a significant role in Catholic theology, philosophy, and missionary work throughout its history.

The term Dominican thus covers both national and religious senses, and contextual cues are typically used to distinguish meaning in everyday language.