First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1Latin
adjective Lat·in \ˈla-tən\
: based on, relating to, or written in Latin
: of or relating to the people of Central America and South America
: of or relating to the people of European countries (such as Spain and Italy) in which languages that come from Latin are spoken
Full Definition of LATIN
1
a : of, relating to, or composed in Latin b : romance
3
: of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope
4
: of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages; specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America
See Latin defined for English-language learners
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Origin of LATIN
Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy
Other Language Terms
2Latin
noun
: the language of ancient Rome
: a person born or living in Latin America or in a country (such as Spain or Italy) where a language that comes from Latin is spoken
Full Definition of LATIN
1
: the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe — see indo-european languages table
2
: a member of the people of ancient Latium
3
: a Catholic of the Latin rite
4
: a member of one of the Latin peoples; specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America
5
See Latin defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LATIN
before 12th century
LATIN Defined for Kids
1Latin
adjective Lat·in \ˈla-tən\
Definition of LATIN for Kids
1
: of or relating to the language of the ancient Romans <Latin grammar>
2
: of or relating to the countries or people of Latin America
2Latin
noun
Definition of LATIN for Kids
1
: the language of the ancient Romans
2
: a member of a people whose language and customs have descended from the ancient Romans
3
: a person born or living in Latin America
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