Latinize

[lat-n-ahyz]

verb (used with object), Lat·in·ized, Lat·in·iz·ing.

to cause to conform to the customs, traditions, beliefs, etc., of the Latins or the Latin Church.
to intermix with Latin elements.
to translate into Latin.

to make Latin-American in character: The influx of Cuban immigrants has Latinized Miami.
Romanize(def 3).

verb (used without object), Lat·in·ized, Lat·in·iz·ing.

to use words and phrases from Latin: He Latinizes in his poetry.

Also especially British, Lat·in·ise.

Origin of Latinize

First recorded in 1580–90, Latinize is from the Late Latin word latīnīzāre to translate into Latin. See Latin, -ize

Related formsLat·in·i·za·tion, nounde-Lat·in·i·za·tion, nounhalf-Lat·in·ized, adjectiveun-Lat·in·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for latinize

Historical Examples of latinize

He would paganize, Latinize and Mediterraneanize the genius of Europe.
Suspended Judgments
John Cowper Powys
The savants at that time were wont to latinize their names in their enthusiasm for the classics.
The Story of Switzerland
Lina Hug
He owed his aristocratic name to the custom, prevalent in those days, to Latinize all vulgar appellations.
Essays on Scandinavian Literature
Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen
The second is better than the first: to Latinize the surname and not the Christian name is very unscholarlike.
A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume I (of II)
Augustus De Morgan
It was not unusual with the old German authors to Latinize their names on the title-page of their books.
Musical Myths and Facts, Volume I (of 2)
Carl Engel

British Dictionary definitions for latinize

Latinize

Latinise

verb (tr)

to translate into Latin or Latinisms
to transliterate into the Latin alphabet
to cause to acquire Latin style or customs
to bring Roman Catholic influence to bear upon (the form of religious ceremonies, etc)

Derived FormsLatinization or Latinisation, nounLatinizer or Latiniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012