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Definition of punic - 3 dictionary results

Pu⋅nic

  [pyoo-nik]
Use punic in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to the ancient Carthaginians.
2. treacherous; perfidious: originally applied by the Romans to the Carthaginians.
–noun
3. the language of ancient Carthage, a form of late Phoenician.
Origin:
< L Pūnicus, earlier Poenicus Carthaginian, equiv. to Poen(us) a Phoenician, a Carthaginian (akin to Gk Phoînix a Phoenician) + -icus -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Pu·nic   (pyōō'nĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Of or relating to ancient Carthage, its inhabitants, or their language.

  2. Having the character of treachery attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans.

n.  The dialect of Phoenician spoken in ancient Carthage.

[Latin Poenicus, Pūnicus, from Poenus, a Carthaginian, from Greek Phoinix, Phoenician.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

Punic 
"pertaining to Carthage," 1533, from L. Punicus, earlier Poenicus "Carthaginian," originally "Phoenician" (adj.), Carthage having been founded as a Phoenician colony, from Poenus (n.), from Gk. Phoinix "Phoenician" (see Phoenician). Proverbial among the Romans as treacherous and perfidious. Punic Wars were three wars between the Romans and the Carthaginians fought 264-146 B.C.E.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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