Syracuse City
/ˈsɪrəkjuːs ˈsɪti/noun
A city named Syracuse, especially the city in New York or the ancient Greek-founded city in Sicily.
Did you know?Ancient Syracuse in Sicily became one of the most powerful Greek cities in the Mediterranean, and its name is probably pre-Greek, meaning its earliest linguistic meaning remains unknown.
Etymological Timeline
Before 5th Century BCE
Pre-Greek/Sicilian
*Syrak-
“A proposed pre-Greek place-name element; its original meaning is uncertain.”
8th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Syrakousai
“The Greek name for the city founded by Greek colonists from Corinth in Sicily.”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Syrakousa
“Syracuse, the major Greek city on the island of Sicily.”
Latin Antiquity
Latin
Syracusae
“Syracuse; the Latin form used for the Sicilian city.”
Medieval Period
Italian
Siracusa
“The Italian name for Syracuse in Sicily.”
17th Century onward
English
Syracuse
“The English form, later also used in place names such as Syracuse, New York.”
Modern English
English
Syracuse City
“A modern English place-name phrase combining Syracuse with the generic word city.”
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