- Confidence
- Probable
- Formation
- Borrowing
- First attested
- Columella
- Ultimate origin
- Ancient Greek (σαρδίνη)
Pronunciation
Forms
sardīna f (genitive sardīnae); first declension[1]
Etymology
The OLD compares sarda “pilchard”, which it takes as the feminine of Sardus “Sardinian”.[2] Etymonline derives it from late Greek Ancient Greek σαρδίνη (sardínē), earlier σάρδη (sárdē), often linked with Σαρδώ (Sardṓ, “Sardinia”), near which the fish was probably caught.[3]
Earliest recorded meaning
Columella mentions it in his book on fishponds.[4] Köbler dates Columella to the 1st century AD.[5]
Semantic evolution
It was a sardine or pilchard, and Lewis & Short and Georges treat it under sarda.[2][6][7] Köbler records it from Oribasius, of the late 4th century.[5]
In medieval British glossaries it was a small fish, a herring.[8] English sardine is recorded in the early 15th century.[3]
Timeline
- 1st century AD – Columella mentions it.[4][5]
- c. 325–c. 403 AD – Oribasius uses it.[5]
- early 15th century – English sardine is recorded.[3]
Meanings
Noun
Related words
- sarda
- English sardine
References
- ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
- ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
- ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
- ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
Descendants
- English sardine
Cite this entry
“Sardina.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/sardina. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.
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