Montenegrin

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to Montenegro, its people, language, or culture; a person originating from Montenegro; the South Slavic language spoken primarily in Montenegro
2. Pertaining to the Balkan country of Montenegro or its inhabitants; an individual who is a native or citizen of Montenegro; the language used by the Montenegrin population
3. Associated with Montenegro including its geography, ethnic groups, and customs; a native or resident of Montenegro; the distinct Montenegrin variety of the Serbo-Croatian language family

Etymology: Montenegro was named by Venetian merchants and sailors, who called the mountainous land "Montenegro" because its peaks looked black from the sea. The Italian "montenegrino" was formed from that name, and English took the adjective from it. The Italian name for the country is itself a compound: "monte," mountain, plus "negro," black, a literal description of the dark, forested ranges of the region. The English form keeps the Italian suffix "-ine," which marks something belonging to or coming from a place, as in "Florentine" or "Alpine." Pairing it with the country name produces the adjective for the nation, and the same form covers the noun for a native and the name of the language.

Synonyms: Montenegrin