Pelasgus
/pəˈlæzɡəs/noun
A genus of small freshwater cyprinid fishes native mainly to the Balkan region.
Did you know?Ancient Greek writers used Pelasgoi as a name for peoples they considered older than the Greeks, but historians still debate whether it described one nation, several groups, or a legendary ancestral population.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πελασγός (Pelasgos)
“A legendary ancestor or king associated with the Pelasgians in Greek myth.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Πελασγοί (Pelasgoi)
“A name used by Greek authors for peoples regarded as ancient or pre-Hellenic inhabitants of Greece.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Pelasgus
“A zoological genus name formed from the Greek ethnonym, honoring the ancient name Pelasgos.”
Modern English
English
Pelasgus
“A genus of Balkan freshwater minnows in the carp family.”