Sabellian
/səˈbɛliən/noun
Relating to the ancient Italic peoples or languages grouped by scholars as Sabellian, including the Samnites and related communities.
Did you know?“Sabellian” is a modern scholarly classification rather than the name of a single unified ancient nation, grouping languages such as Oscan and Umbrian alongside related varieties.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek, 5th–4th Century BCE
Greek
Σαβέλλιοι (Sabellioi)
“A Greek designation for the Sabellian peoples of central and southern Italy.”
Roman Republic, 3rd–1st Century BCE
Latin
Sabelli
“A Roman term for Italic peoples related to or associated with the Sabines and Samnites.”
Roman Latin, 1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Sabellus
“A Sabellian person; also used especially in connection with the Samnites.”
19th Century
Scholarly Latin/English
Sabellian
“A modern comparative-linguistic label for a group of ancient Italic languages and their speakers.”
Modern English
English
Sabellian
“Relating to the Sabellian peoples, languages, or linguistic grouping.”