Thessalian
/θəˈseɪliən/noun
Of or relating to Thessaly, an ancient region of central Greece, or its people.
Did you know?In Roman poetry, Thessaly became famous as a legendary homeland of witches, especially the terrifying necromancer Erichtho in Lucan’s Pharsalia.
Etymological Timeline
Mycenaean Greek, 2nd millennium BCE
Mycenaean Greek
te-se-u-ja
“A possible early form connected with Thessaly, though its identification remains debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Thessalía
“Thessaly, the region in central Greece.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Thessalós
“A Thessalian; a person or thing belonging to Thessaly.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Thessalia
“Thessaly, adopted from Greek.”
Medieval Latin and French
Latin/French
Thessalianus / Thessalien
“Of or relating to Thessaly.”
16th Century onward
English
Thessalian
“Of Thessaly; later also associated with the region’s literary reputation for witchcraft and magic.”
Explore more surprising origins