(anc. geog.) the name of the ancient inhabitants of Canaan in general, descendants of Canaan; but peculiarly appropriated to some one branch; though uncertain which branch or son of Canaan it was, or how it happened that they preferred the common gentilitious name to one more appropriated as descendants of one of the sons of Canaan; unless from their course of life, as being in the mercantile way, the import of the name Canaan; and for which their situation was greatly adapted, they living on the sea and about Jordan, and thus occupying the greater part of the Land of Promise.