Messapian, n. and a.
(məˈseɪpɪən)
Also Meˈssapic.
[f. L. Messāpi-us + -an.]
A. n. a. A native or inhabitant of the ancient district of Messapia (now Apulia and Calabria) in southern Italy. b. The language of the Messapians. B. adj. Of or pertaining to the Messapians or their language.
| 1773 [see Iapygian a. and n.]. 1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 650/2 The inhabitants [of Calabria] were Sallentines and Calabrians or Messapians, both probably of Pre-Hellenic or Pelasgic race. 1880, 1882 [see Iapygian a. and n.]. 1932 W. L. Graff Lang. 375 Venetic of Northeastern Italy and the South Italian Messapic. 1932 Times Lit. Suppl. 21 July 530/4 The three groups of Apulian vases, Messapian, Peucetian and Daunian. 1948 D. Diringer Alphabet ii. viii. 471 The Messapic or Messapian was the earliest European offshoot of the Greek language. 1949 Oxf. Class. Dict. 560/2 The Apulian Peucetii..and Daunii..also spoke Messapic. 1966 M. S. Beeler in Birnbaum & Puhvel Anc. Indo-European Dial. 52 The undoubtedly Illyrian Messapic of the southeastern end of the peninsula. |