Illyrian

[ih-leer-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to Illyria.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Illyria.

2. the extinct language of the Illyrians, an Indo-European language of uncertain relationship within the Indo-European language family.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Illyrian¹

First recorded in 1545–55; Illyri(a) + -an

Example Sentences

In the previous episode, an Illyrian assures La'an that her inherited augmentations make her no more dangerous than anyone else, and that she holds the same capacity for actions, good or ill.

Read more on Salon

The resulting civil unrest led to the local government segregating the Illyrians from the rest of the populace.

Read more on Salon

He uses more traditional methods, too: he had to trade in his quick, compliant sheepdogs for a powerful, bear-like breed – the Illyrian shepherd dog – that lives in among the sheep as their protectors.

Read more on The Guardian

Beneath its imposing Illyrian, then Roman, then Venetian castle, Shkodra has a distinguished literary past.

Read more on BBC

Croatia was under French control from 1809-14, part of the Illyrian Provinces, an autonomous area of Napoleon’s First French Empire.

Read more on Washington Times