Messapian
/mɛˈsapɪən/ /mɛˈseɪpɪən/ /məˈsapɪən/Ancient History
adjective
Of or relating to Messapia, an ancient region of south-eastern Italy (modern Apulia), its pre-Roman inhabitants, or their language.
noun
1A native or inhabitant of Messapia.
2= Messapic.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Joshua Sylvester (d. 1618), poet and translator. From classical Latin Messāpius of or belonging to Messapia (from classical Latin Messāpia (from Hellenistic Greek Μεσσαπία, an ancient name for the Salentine peninsula, probably of Illyrian origin) + -ius, suffix forming adjectives) + -an.