Lucanian, n. and a.
(luːˈkeɪnɪən)
[f. Lucania, name of a district of southern Italy, also called Basilicata.]
A. n. A member of the Lucani, a branch of the Sabelline race, inhabiting Lucania. B. adj. Of, pertaining to, or belonging to Lucania; spec. Lucanian ox, Lucanian cow (see quots.).
| 1709 [see Apulian a. and n.]. [1797 Encycl. Brit. X. 314 Lucæ boves denoted elephants; first seen in Pyrrhus's wars in Lucania, whence the appellation (Pliny).] 1863 W. K. Kelly Curiosities Indo-European Trad. & Folk-Lore i. 5 The Romans gave the name of Lucanian ox to the elephant. 1878 J. R. King tr. Cicero's Philippic Orations xiii. v. 230 He..took possession of his estates in the Lucanian territory. 1879 Lewis & Short Latin Dict. 1079/1 Luca bos, Lucanian cow, for elephant (because the Romans first saw this animal in Lucania, in the army of Pyrrhus). 1907 A. E. Zimmern tr. Ferrero's Greatness & Decline Rome I. iv. 85 The Samnites and Lucanians, who were still under arms, sent ambassadors. Ibid. v. 89 Only the Samnites and the Lucanians, as being still in revolt, were to be excepted. 1949 Oxf. Classical Dict. 313/1 The Romans first encountered elephants (‘Lucanian oxen’) in Pyrrhus' army, but seldom used them in battle. Ibid. 514/2 Lucanian communities had an official known as meddix. 1957 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 456 The Social War, in which the Lucanians took part with the Samnites. 1960 Times 29 June 15/7 Slogans on the walls of a Lucanian town: ‘We are Italians too.’ |