Illyrian adjective & noun. [ɪ'lɪrɪǝn] M16.
[from Latin Illyrius (= Greek Illurios), from Illyria (see below) + -AN.]
A. adjective.
1. Of or pertaining to a region of varying extent primarily on the east coast of the Adriatic known as Illyria, in ancient times a country extending northwards to the Danube, conquered by the Romans in the 3rd and 2nd cents. BC, for much of the 19th cent. and until 1918 a division of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and now part of Slovenia and Croatia. M16.

2. Designating or pertaining to the group of ancient dialects represented by modern Albanian. Formerly also, designating or pertaining to a division of the S. Slavonic languages. E17.
b. noun.
1. A native or inhabitant of Illyria; esp. a member of an Indo-European people inhabiting ancient Illyria. L16.

2. The language of Illyria; the group of ancient dialects represented by modern Albanian. Formerly also, a division of the S. Slavonic languages. L19.

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