Sicily
/ˈsɪk.ɪ.li/noun
An island in the Mediterranean Sea, part of Italy.
Did you know?Sicily's name may derive from the ancient Greek word for 'sickle', reflecting its scythe-like shape or possibly its agricultural abundance, associated with fertility and harvest rituals.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sik-
“to cut or separate, often associated with harvest.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Σικελία (Sikelia)
“Land of the Sicels, a tribe that inhabited the island.”
Latin
Latin
Sicilia
“The name of the island, adopted from the Greek.”
Old Italian
Old Italian
Sicilia
“Continuation of the Latin term, used in medieval texts.”
Modern English
English
Sicily
“The current English name for the island, retaining its historical roots.”