La Tène

adjective

lä-ˈten

-ˈtān

: of or relating to the later period of the Iron Age in Europe assumed to date from 500 b.c. to a.d. 1

Word History

Etymology

La Tène, shallows of the Lake of Neuchâtel, Switzerland

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of La Tène was in 1882

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

latency period

La Tène

lateness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“La Tène.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/La%20T%C3%A8ne. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

La Tène

adjective

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

undulate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes