Punic

American  

[pyoo-nik] / ˈpyu nɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient Carthaginians.

2. treacherous; perfidious: originally applied by the Romans to the Carthaginians.

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noun

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

Punic British  

/ ˈpjuːnɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Carthage or the Carthaginians

2. characteristic of the treachery of the Carthaginians

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noun

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

Etymology

Origin of Punic

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

Example Sentences

It is thought he took soldiers and animals from Carthage through Spain and France to invade Italy, crossing the Alps with 37 elephants in 218 BCE during the second of the so-called Punic Wars.

From BBC

While the outcome of the Punic Wars is clear, Ms. MacDonald rejects the Roman fancy that both sides had been “two equal powers whose dispute was over the ‘empire of the world.’”

From The Wall Street Journal

By 19, he was commanding an enlarged legion in the Second Punic War.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the home of ancient Carthage and its Punic culture, and as a major Roman colony that helped provide the empire with food, Tunisia is awash with classical-era sites and archaeological remains.

From Reuters

“Do you want to read?” one of the third graders, Parker, asked his partner after the lesson on the Punic Wars.

From Seattle Times