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Romaic

Romaic

9.9
A modern everyday form of the Greek language used instead of ancient Greek
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : romano
  • The novel is written in Romaic rather than classical Greek.

Examples

  • Many scholars study Romaic to better understand the evolution of the Greek language.

  • I learned to speak Romaic during my summer in Greece.

  • He speaks Romaic fluently, having lived in Athens for several years.

  • The Romaic language has evolved significantly over the centuries.

  • He speaks Romaic fluently, having lived in Athens for several years.

  • Many scholars study Romaic to better understand the evolution of the Greek language.

  • The novel is written in Romaic rather than classical Greek.

Synonyms

Modern Greek
vsRomaic
1 4.5

The Greek language spoken and written since the late Middle Ages

focuses on the modern vernacular rather than ancient forms
Romaic language
vsRomaic
  • Archaic
9.9

A common form of Greek spoken since the late Middle Ages

is the current preferred term for the same vernacular
4.2

The form of Greek spoken and written in Greece and Cyprus today

is defined by being the modern everyday form
New Greek
vsRomaic
5.7

The Greek language people speak and write today

is the modern vernacular term used to contrast with ancient language
4.9

The Greek language spoken and written from the Middle Ages to today, also called Modern Greek

focuses on the living vernacular used today
Demotic language
vsRomaic
9.9

Most people use the everyday form of Greek when they speak and write

is broader, highlighting the modern vernacular versus ancient forms
Demotic
vsRomaic
  • Specialized
9.9

The everyday form of Greek spoken in Greece

focuses on the modern vernacular especially compared with ancient forms

Compounds

Romaic language
  • Archaic
9.9

A common form of Greek spoken since the late Middle Ages

Surface Forms

Romaic singular
Romaics plural

Morphology

Romaic = Roman (opaque) = roman + ic

The word is historically built on Roman + -ic, but its modern sense 'modern Greek' is highly specialized and not predictable from the components.

Etymology

Romaic comes from Rome and the idea of 'Roman', because people in Greece long ago called themselves 'Romans'. So Romaic came to mean the everyday Greek spoken by those people, which is why it refers to modern Greek rather than ancient Greek.