Oscan etymology

Etymology and Origin:

The Oscan language is an extinct Italic language that was spoken in ancient Italy by the Osci, an Italic people who inhabited areas of present-day southern and central Italy.

The name "Oscan" comes from the Oscan word "usko," meaning "wolf." The Osci were likely named after this animal, which held a sacred and totemic significance in their culture.

Meaning and Significance:

The Oscan language was divided into several dialects, including Samnite, Marrucinian, and Vestinian. These dialects were spoken in different regions of Oscan territory and exhibited some linguistic variations.

Oscan inscriptions and texts provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and society of the Osci. These sources record historical events, religious practices, laws, and economic activities.

The Oscan language played an important role in the linguistic and cultural development of the Italic branch of Indo-European languages. It influenced the development of Latin and other Italic languages, contributing to the rich linguistic diversity of the ancient Mediterranean region.

Examples:

  • louk-ei[d]e: "devoted" (from Latin "lucus," meaning "sacred grove")
  • safinim: "money" (from Latin "stipendium," meaning "pay")
  • toutiko: "city" (from Latin "tota," meaning "all")
  • sullo[s]: "sun" (from Latin "sol," meaning "sun")
  • pumpaiano: "five" (from Latin "pompe," meaning "five")

Oscan relate terms

  • cooperate

    Etymology From Latin cooperārī meaning to work together Derived from com with

  • cooperation

    Etymology Cooperation derives from the Latin words cooperare or co operari meani

  • copious

    Etymology Latin copiōsus Proto Indo European kʷepiō abundance crowd M

  • copy

    Etymology The word copy originates from the Middle English word copien meaning to

  • cornucopia

    Etymology From Latin cornucopia from cornu horn copia abundance The Latin w

  • inure

    Etymology Late Latin inurēre from Latin in in urēre to burn Meaning

  • maneuver

    Etymology The word maneuver comes from the French word manœuvre which in turn deri

  • manure

    Etymology The word manure originates from the Old French word manuer which is deriv

  • oeuvre

    Etymology From French oeuvre from Old French oevre from Latin opera work effort s

  • office

    Etymology The word office is derived from the Latin word officium which originally m

  • official

    Etymology Official is derived from the Middle French word official which in turn come

  • officinal

    Etymology Latin officīna meaning workshop store pharmacy Proto Indo European o

  • omni

    Etymology Latin omnis meaning all Meaning and Origin The word omni derives fro

  • omnibus

    Etymology From Latin omnibus for all ablative plural of omnis all Meaning

  • opera

    Etymology The word opera originates from the Italian word opera which means work o

  • operate

    Etymology Operate derives from the Latin word operari meaning to work or to do

  • operation

    Etymology Operation comes from the Latin word operatio which means work or action

  • operose

    Etymology The word operose comes from the Late Latin word operosus which in turn der

  • optimism

    Etymology Derived from Latin optimus meaning best Optimus is the superlative fo

  • optimum

    Etymology Latin optimus best Meaning Best possible or most favorable Ideal or p

  • opulence

    Etymology Latin opulentia from opulens opulent wealthy rich from ops abu

  • opulent

    Etymology The word opulent comes from the Latin word opulentus which means rich o

  • opus

    Etymology Late Latin opus operis work labor task Latin opus operis work tas

  • Oscan

    Etymology and Origin The Oscan language is an extinct Italic language that was spoken in

  • Osco

    Etymology The origin of the word Osco is uncertain but there are two main theories

  • Oscan

    Etymology and Origin The Oscan language is an extinct Italic language that was spoken in

  • hearse

    Etymology The word hearse originates from the Middle English word herse which itsel

  • perch

    Etymology Middle English perche from Old French Old French perche from Late Latin L

  • mulct

    Etymology and Meaning of Mulct Origin The word mulct comes from the Latin word mu

  • Italy

    Etymology and Meaning Latin Italia land of the calves Derived from the ancient Gre

  • pumice

    Etymology of Pumice The word pumice originates from the Latin word pumex which mea

  • base

    Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

  • flagrant

    Etymology The word flagrant originates from the Latin adjective flagrans which mean

  • disappoint

    Etymology Middle English disapoynten from Old French despointer desappointer Old Fr

  • frank

    Etymology The name Frank originates from the Frankish word franc which means free

  • alacrity

    Etymology The word alacrity comes from the Latin word alacris which means lively