Italy

English

Map of Italy.

Etymology

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

  • IPA(key): /ˈɪtəli/
  • (file)

Proper noun

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

country in Southern Europe

Descendants

  • Thai: อิตาลี (ì-dtaa-lîi)

Translations

See also

Anagrams

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