Oscan
Americannoun
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one of an ancient people of south-central Italy.
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the Indo-European, probably Italic, language of the Oscans, written in an alphabet derived from the Etruscan.
adjective
noun
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an extinct language of ancient S Italy belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European family See also Osco-Umbrian
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a speaker of this language; Samnite
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Oscan
1590–1600; Latin Osc(ī) the Oscans + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He adapted the ancient satires of the Tuscan and Oscan stage to the closet, by refining their grossness, softening their asperity, and introducing railleries borrowed from the Greek poets, with whom he was familiar.
From History of Roman Literature from its Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. Volume I by John Dunlop
In addition to collecting Norwegian folk-songs and traditions, and writing on Runic inscriptions, he made considerable contributions to the study of the Celtic, Romance, Oscan, Umbrian and Etruscan languages.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various
They were composed in the Oscan dialect, and were at first rude extemporaneous farces, but were afterward divided into acts like a regular drama.
From A Smaller History of Rome by Sir William Smith
Some writers have even asserted, that the Twelve tables were originally written in the Oscan dialect.
From History of Roman Literature from its Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. Volume I by John Dunlop
While this early literature embodied Oscan and Etruscan as well as Latin elements, it was truly Roman; for the Roman was himself formed of just such a mixture.
From Writings in the United Amateur, 1915-1922 by H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
