I. ˈla-t ə n adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Latinus, from Latium, ancient country of Italy
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : of, relating to, or composed in Latin
b. : romance
2. : of or relating to Latium or the Latins
3. : of or relating to the part of the Catholic Church that until recently used a Latin rite and forms the patriarchate of the pope
4. : of or relating to the peoples or countries using Romance languages ; specifically : of or relating to the peoples or countries of Latin America
II. noun
Date: before 12th century
1. : the Italic language of ancient Latium and of Rome and until modern times the dominant language of school, church, and state in western Europe — see Indo-European languages table
2. : a member of the people of ancient Latium
3. : a Catholic of the Latin rite
4. : a member of one of the Latin peoples ; specifically : a native or inhabitant of Latin America
5. : Latin alphabet