Punic

[ pyoo-nik ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to the ancient Carthaginians.

  2. treacherous; perfidious: originally applied by the Romans to the Carthaginians.

noun
  1. the language of ancient Carthage, a form of late Phoenician.

Origin of Punic

1
<Latin Pūnicus, earlier Poenicus Carthaginian, equivalent to Poen(us) a Phoenician, a Carthaginian (akin to Greek Phoînix a Phoenician ) + -icus-ic

Words Nearby Punic

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How to use Punic in a sentence

  • During the first Punic war, the Carthaginians had often threatened the coasts of Italy, but never attempted a serious landing.

    History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2 | Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.

British Dictionary definitions for Punic

Punic

/ (ˈpjuːnɪk) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to ancient Carthage or the Carthaginians

  2. characteristic of the treachery of the Carthaginians

noun
  1. the language of the ancient Carthaginians; a late form of Phoenician

Origin of Punic

1
C15: from Latin Pūnicus, variant of Poenicus Carthaginian, from Greek Phoinix

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