Centum definitions
| Word backwards | mutnec |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | Centum is an adjective. |
| Syllabic division | The syllable separation of the word "centum" is cen-tum. |
| Plural | The plural of the word centum is centa. |
| Total letters | 6 |
| Vogais (2) | e,u |
| Consonants (4) | c,n,t,m |
Centum is a linguistic term used in historical linguistics to refer to a group of Indo-European languages in which the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) velar stops k, g, and gʰ were retained in certain positions. This term is in contrast to the term satem, which refers to another group of Indo-European languages where these velar stops shifted to sibilants or affricates.
Centum Languages
The centum languages include languages such as Latin, Greek, Celtic, Germanic, and Baltic, among others. These languages preserved the plain velar stops in words that originally contained those sounds in Proto-Indo-European. For example, in Latin, the word for "hundred" is "centum," which demonstrates the retention of the velar stop.
Evolutionary Linguistics
Studying the distinction between centum and satem languages provides valuable insights into the evolution of Indo-European languages and the phonological changes that occurred as these languages diversified over time. By examining how sounds shifted or were retained in different language branches, linguists can reconstruct aspects of the ancestral Proto-Indo-European language.
Significance
Understanding the distinction between centum and satem languages helps linguists trace the development of various language families and subfamilies within the broader Indo-European language family. By identifying patterns of sound changes and innovations, researchers can piece together the complex history of these languages and the societies that spoke them.
Centum Examples
- The centum group of languages includes Latin, French, and English.
- The Roman numeral for 100 is written as "C", which comes from the word centum.
- Centum weight is a unit of measure used in the coal industry.
- The company received a centum increase in their profits this quarter.
- In ancient Rome, centumviri were officials responsible for legal judgments.
- The plant species Centaurea got its name from the Latin word centum.
- The centum-satem division is a classification of Indo-European languages.
- She saved up every centum to buy her dream car.
- Centum is an abbreviation used in the medical field to refer to 100.
- The centum root of the word "century" refers to a period of 100 years.