Italy

Etymology

From Old English Italia, borrowed from Latin Italia, from Ancient Greek Ῑ̓ταλίᾱ (Ītalíā), possibly borrowed from Oscan 𐌅𐌝𐌕𐌄𐌋𐌉𐌞 (víteliú). Usually explained as a cognate of vitulus (“calf”), thus meaning "land of young bulls" in Oscan. In that case, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wet- (“year”). According to some ancient Greek authors, named after a king Italus or Italos, whose kingdom was on the peninsula.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪtəli/
  • (General American) IPA^(key): [ˈɪ.ɾə.li]
  • (some American dialects) IPA^(key): [ˈɪʔ.li]
  • (Standard Southern British) IPA^(key): [ˈɪ.tə.lɪj]
  • (Ghanaian) IPA^(key): [ˈi.tɐ.li]
  • (Ireland) IPA^(key): [ˈɪθ̠əli]
    • (Local Dublin) IPA^(key): [ˈɪhəli], [ˈɪʔəli]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Proper noun

Italy

2. A country in Southern Europe. Official names: Italian Republic and Republic of Italy. Capital and largest city: Rome.
   • 1868, E. S. G. S., Italy and her capital, page 170:

     Rome is the heart of Italy [...]. She was, is, and must ever be, her capital.

   • 19th century, Thomas Hodgkin, Italy and her invaders, title:

     Italy and her invaders

3. Synonym of Apennine Peninsula

See also

Anagrams

• -ality, laity