Latin

Latin is the language of ancient Rome and is a language widely used in religion and scholarly works, or a person whose native language originates from Latin.

(noun)

A language spoken by Cicero and Caesar is an example of Latin.

The definition of Latin is something related to the language of ancient Rome, or someone or something associated with Latin America, its music or its language.

(adjective)

  1. Biblical verse written in the language of Ancient Rome is an example of Latin verse.
  2. Salsa music is an example of music that would be described as Latin music.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See Latin in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. of ancient Latium or its people
  2. of ancient Rome or its people
  3. of or in the language of ancient Latium and ancient Rome
    1. designating or of the languages derived from Latin, the peoples that speak them, or their countries or cultures
    2. of or relating to Latin Americans
  4. of the Roman Catholic Church, esp. as distinguished from the Eastern Church

Origin: L Latinus < Latium, Latium (in which Rome was included), orig. ? “flat land” < IE *tletiom < base *(s)tel-, to spread out > L latus, broad

noun

  1. a person born or living in ancient Latium or ancient Rome
  2. the Italic language of ancient Latium and ancient Rome
  3. a person whose language is derived from Latin, as a Spaniard, Italian, or Latin American
  4. a Roman Catholic: so called esp. by Eastern Christians

See Latin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The Indo-European language of the ancient Latins and Romans and the most important cultural language of western Europe until the end of the 17th century.
    b. The Latin language and literature from the end of the third century B.C. to the end of the second century A.D.
  2. a. A member of a Latin people, especially a native or inhabitant of Latin America.
    b. A Latino or Latina.
  3. A native or resident of ancient Latium.
adjective
  1. Of, relating to, or composed in Latin: a Latin scholar; Latin verse.
  2. a. Of or relating to ancient Rome, its people, or its culture.
    b. Of or relating to Latium, its people, or its culture.
  3. Of or relating to the languages that developed from Latin, such as Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, or to the peoples that speak them.
  4. a. Of or relating to the peoples, countries, or cultures of Latin America.
    b. Of or relating to Latinos or their culture.
  5. Of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: and from Old English lǣden

Origin: , both from Latin Latīnus

Origin: , from Latium, an ancient country of west-central Italy

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