I. mə̇ˈsāpēən adjective
or mes·sapic -sāpik, -sap-
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Latin Messapii + English -an or -ic
1. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Messapii
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Messapian language or the alphabet in which it was written
II. noun
or messapic “
( -s )
Usage: capitalized
1. : one of the Messapii
2. : the ancient language of Messapia sometimes classed as Illyrian