Oscan

[os-kuhn]

noun

1. one of an ancient people of south-central Italy.

2. the Indo-European, probably Italic, language of the Oscans, written in an alphabet derived from the Etruscan.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Oscans or their language.

Oscan

/ ˈɒskən /

noun

1. an extinct language of ancient S Italy belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European family See also Osco-Umbrian

2. a speaker of this language; Samnite

adjective

1. of or relating to this language

Other Word Forms

• non-Oscan adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oscan¹

1590–1600; Latin Osc(ī) the Oscans + -an

Example Sentences

On the mosaic threshold the word HAVE, in Oscan and Latin characters, saluted the guest with its friendly syllables.

From Project Gutenberg

All this is recorded, and with it their song in barbarous Oscan or early Etruscan, perfectly unintelligible, in which their acclamations were made.

From Project Gutenberg

He bore witness to his nationality in the saying quoted by Gellius2 that 'in the possession of the Greek, Oscan, and Latin speech, he possessed three hearts.'

From Project Gutenberg

This town either changed its name or perished some time after the middle of the 3rd century B.C., when it was issuing coins of its own with an Oscan legend.

From Project Gutenberg

When, centuries later, Latins and Sabines and Etruscans and Oscans, banded together and formed the great city of Rome, it was this alphabet they inherited from their forefathers.

From Project Gutenberg