Sabine

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A member of an ancient Italic people who lived in the central Apennines of Italy; relating to their culture or language; the region historically associated with them
2. Denoting the ancient group inhabiting central Italy's hills between Rome and the Adriatic; pertaining to their traditions or dialect; the geographical area of their settlements
3. Referring to the early Italic tribe known for their role in Roman mythology and history; connected to their societal customs or linguistic heritage; the territory they originally occupied in Italy

Etymology: A small juniper shrub and an ancient people of central Italy share a name. The shrub was called "herba Sabina," or "Sabine herb," in Latin, and the word "sabina" was later shortened to "savine" in Old French and "savyne" in Middle English. English later reduced it to "savin," and "sabine" survives as an alternative spelling. The people were the Sabines, who lived in the hills northeast of Rome. Their Latin name was "Sabini," and the adjective "Sabinus" described things belonging to them. The origin of the people's own name is uncertain, so the link between the tribe and the plant is one of naming rather than of shared meaning.

Synonyms: Sabine people, Sabine language