Dalmatian
/dælˈmeɪʃən/noun
A person or thing from Dalmatia, especially a distinctive white dog breed with dark spots.
Did you know?The Dalmatian dog’s exact origin is debated, but its name definitively comes from Dalmatia, a historical region along the eastern Adriatic coast.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Delmatia
“The region later known as Dalmatia, on the eastern Adriatic coast.”
Roman period
Latin
Dalmatia
“A Roman province and coastal region named after the Dalmatae people.”
Late Latin
Latin
Dalmaticus
“Of or relating to Dalmatia.”
Middle English
English
Dalmatian
“Relating to Dalmatia or its inhabitants.”
Modern English
English
Dalmatian
“A person or thing from Dalmatia; especially the spotted dog breed.”