Etruscan

1 of 2

adjective

Etrus·​can i-ˈtrə-skən How to pronounce Etruscan (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Etruria, the Etruscans, or their language

Etruscan

2 of 2

noun

1
: a native or inhabitant of ancient Etruria
2
: the language of the Etruscans which is of uncertain affiliation

Examples of Etruscan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Inspired by ancient Etruscan rituals, the top floor offers massage rooms filled with natural light, while the lower level — set in the villa’s former wine cellar — has been reimagined in delicate pink tones. Livia Hengel, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Some objects such as an Etruscan chalice predate the Christian era, while others are much newer, like tiger-feet slippers once owned by singer Freddie Mercury of the rock band Queen. Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2025 Archaeologist Barbara Barbaro described the find as extremely rare and exceptional, offering deeper insights into Etruscan culture. Aspen Pflughoeft july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 Ancient Etruscan priests read entrails to divine the future; today’s press scrutinizes whatever entrails can be found anywhere. Emmett Coyne, The Hill, 23 May 2025 In an area that’s less than half a square mile, discover a 3,300-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti attributed to Thutmose, paintings by Monet and Renoir, and a collection of Etruscan objects. Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
Instead of having to make this decision, owners were able to leave their pets with dog-sitters for free at four museums in Rome on Sunday, including at the National Etruscan Museum and the Castel Sant’Angelo. Issy Ronald, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 The fragment of a rare coin glossed with the face of Etruscan Herenia, wife of Roman Emperor Trajan Decjiusz, was found among the discoveries. Gabriele Regalbuto, Fox News, 6 Aug. 2024 In addition to its seizures at the Met and the Cleveland museum, the New York district attorney’s investigation has confiscated objects from Christie’s; Fordham Museum of Etruscan, Greek, and Roman Art; and from the private collection of longtime Met donor Shelby White. Malcolm Gay, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin etruscus; akin to Latin Etruria, ancient country

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Etruscan was in 1563

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Cite this Entry

“Etruscan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Etruscan. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Etruscan

noun
Etrus·​can
i-ˈtrəs-kən
1
: a person born or living in ancient Etruria
2
: the language of the Etruscans
Etruscan adjective

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