Etymologically

sardina

Etymology and origin of the Latin word sardina

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
Columella
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek (σαρδίνη)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin sardina
English sardine

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [sarˈdiː.na], [sarˈdiː.naː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [sarˈdiː.na], [sarˈdiː.na][1]

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

  1. A sardine, pilchard.[2][4]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A herring.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  8. ^ 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

Cite this entry

“Sardina.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/sardina. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·