Asiatic

[ey-zhee-at-ik, ey-shee-, ey-zee-] /ˌeɪ ʒiˈæt ɪk, ˌeɪ ʃi-, ˌeɪ zi-/
adjective
1.
Asian.
noun, Usually Offensive.
2.
an Asian person.
Origin
1625-35; < Latin Asiāticus < Greek Asiātikos. See Asia, -atic
Related forms
Asiatically, adverb
half-Asiatic, adjective
non-Asiatic, adjective, noun
pro-Asiatic, adjective
trans-Asiatic, adjective
Can be confused
Asian, Asiatic, oriental.
Usage note
See Asian.
British Dictionary definitions for Asiatic

Asiatic

/ˌeɪʃɪˈætɪk; -zɪ-/
noun, adjective
1.
a word formerly used for Asian
Usage note
Asiatic is the correct word to use in scientific language when talking about flora, fauna and anthropology, for instance Asiatic lion. Using it as a noun is offensive and old-fashioned
Word Origin and History for Asiatic
adj.

1630s, from Latin Asiaticus (surname of Latin Corn. Scipio), from Greek Asiatikos, from Asia (see Asia; also cf. Asian). As a noun, by 1763. In ancient Rome, Asiatici oratores was florid and overly ornate prose.