Caucasus
/ˈkɔː.kə.səs/noun
A major mountain system between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Did you know?The Greek name Καύκασος (Kaukasos) was already ancient in classical times, but its deeper origin is uncertain, so the “dark secret” here is how old place-names can survive for millennia with their original meaning lost.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Καύκασος
“The Caucasus mountain range; an old geographic name used by Greek writers.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Caucasus
“The Caucasus mountains, borrowed from Greek.”
Late Latin
Latin
Caucasius
“Pertaining to the Caucasus region.”
18th Century
English
Caucasian
“Originally meaning of or from the Caucasus; later used in racial classification.”
Modern English
English
Caucasus
“The mountain system between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.”