Punic

UK: /ˈpjuːnɪk/ US: (pyo̅o̅′nik)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

Pu•nic  (pyo̅o̅′nik), adj. 

1. Language Varieties of or pertaining to the ancient Carthaginians.
2. treacherous;
   perfidious: originally applied by the Romans to the Carthaginians.

n. 

3. Language Varieties the language of ancient Carthage, a form of late Phoenician.

• Latin Pūnicus, earlier Poenicus Carthaginian, equivalent. to Poen(us) a Phoenician, a Carthaginian (akin to Greek Phoînix a Phoenician) + -icus -ic

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Punic / ˈpjuːnɪk/ adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Carthage or the Carthaginians

noun

1. the language of the ancient Carthaginians; a late form of Phoenician

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin Pūnicus, variant of Poenicus Carthaginian, from Greek Phoinix