Sicilian noun & adjective. [sɪ'sɪlɪǝn] E16.
[from Latin Sicilia Sicily + -AN.]
A. noun.
1. A native or inhabitant of Sicily, an island off the tip of SW Italy. E16.

2. Orig. (poet.), = SICEL noun 2. Now, the dialect of modern Italian spoken in Sicily. E19.
b. adjective.
1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Sicily or its inhabitants. L16.

2. Of or pertaining to the Italian dialect of Sicily. M19.
Special collocations: Sicilian defence Chess a defence with many variations replying to the king's pawn opening with a two-square move of the queen's bishop's pawn. Sicilian Vespers Hist. the general massacre of French settlers in Sicily in 1282, signalled by the toll to vespers on Easter Monday.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲