Britannic
/brɪˈtænɪk/noun
Relating to Britain, its people, or the ancient Britons.
Did you know?The Roman name Britannia was probably adapted from a Celtic ethnonym, but its deeper meaning—sometimes linked to “painted” or “tattooed people”—remains uncertain rather than proven.
Etymological Timeline
Late Pre-Roman Antiquity
Celtic
*Pritanī
“A reconstructed ethnonym for the inhabitants of Britain; its exact original sense is uncertain.”
1st Century BCE
Greek
Βρεττανίαι (Brettaniai)
“The British islands, as recorded in Greek geographical writing.”
1st Century CE
Latin
Britannia
“Britain, especially the island and later the Roman province.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Britannicus
“Of or relating to Britain or the Britons.”
16th Century
English
Britannic
“Relating to Britain; adopted into English from Latin and French learned usage.”
Modern English
English
Britannic
“Relating to Britain, its people, or the ancient Britons.”