Messapic

[ muh-sey-pik, -sap-ik ]
/ məˈseɪ pɪk, -ˈsæp ɪk /

noun

an Indo-European language that was spoken in what is now SE Italy and written with an alphabet derived from that of Greek.
Also Mes·sa·pi·an [muh-sey-pee-uh n] /məˈseɪ pi ən/.

Origin of Messapic

1765–75; < Latin Mesāp(ius) pertaining to Messāpia the Calabrian peninsula + -ic

Example sentences from the Web for messapian

British Dictionary definitions for messapian

Messapian

Messapic (məˈseɪpɪk, -ˈsæpɪk)

/ (məˈseɪpɪən) /

noun

a scantily recorded language of an ancient people of Calabria (the Messapii), thought by some to be related to ancient Illyrian