Italy

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
Map of Italy.

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English Italy, Italie, from Old English Italia (Italy), from Latin Italia (Italy), via Ancient Greek Ῑ̓ταλίᾱ (Ītalíā), from Oscan 𐌅𐌝𐌕𐌄𐌋𐌉𐌞 (víteliú). Usually explained as a cognate of vitulus (calf), thus meaning "land of young bulls" in Oscan. In that case, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wet- (year). According to some ancient Greek authors, named after a king Italus or Italos, whose kingdom was on the peninsula.

Pronunciation[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Italy

  1. A country in Southern Europe. Official names: Italian Republic and Republic of Italy. Capital and largest city: Rome.
    • 1868, E. S. G. S., Italy and her capital, page 170:
      Rome is the heart of Italy [...]. She was, is, and must ever be, her capital.
    • 19th century, Thomas Hodgkin, Italy and her invaders, title:
      Italy and her invaders
  2. Synonym of Apennine Peninsula

Meronyms[edit]

country in Southern Europe

Related terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

  • Thai: อิตาลี (ì-dtaa-lîi)

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

Anagrams[edit]