Punic

[ pyoo-nik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient Carthaginians.
2. treacherous; perfidious: originally applied by the Romans to the Carthaginians.

noun

1. the language of ancient Carthage, a form of late Phoenician.

Punic

/ ˈpjuːnɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Carthage or the Carthaginians
2. characteristic of the treachery of the Carthaginians

noun

1. the language of the ancient Carthaginians; a late form of Phoenician

Word History and Origins

Origin of Punic¹

< Latin Pūnicus, earlier Poenicus Carthaginian, equivalent to Poen ( us ) a Phoenician, a Carthaginian (akin to Greek Phoînix a Phoenician ) + -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Punic¹

C15: from Latin Pūnicus, variant of Poenicus Carthaginian, from Greek Phoinix

Example Sentences

Foreign-policy experts rush to compare Libya to Bosnia, the Punic Wars, Iraq, Kosovo, Thermopylae, and so forth.

From The Daily Beast

Itit would have been a tragedy based upon several 133 of the main incidents in the Punic Wars.

From Project Gutenberg

He lived about the time of the second Punic War, before the theatre was fairly established at Rome.

From Project Gutenberg

Roman vileness and baseness disgusted Augustine even more than Punic insubordination.

From Project Gutenberg

The first Punic war exercised a remarkable influence on manners.

From Project Gutenberg

During the first Punic war, the Carthaginians had often threatened the coasts of Italy, but never attempted a serious landing.

From Project Gutenberg