Lingua Franca Definition
frăngkə
lingua-francas
noun
A hybrid language based on Italian, with Spanish, French, Greek, and Arabic elements, spoken, esp. formerly, in certain Mediterranean ports.
Webster's New World
A language used for communication between different peoples, as English in global commerce, or Swahili in C Africa.
Webster's New World
A hybrid language used for this purpose, as pidgin English.
Webster's New World
Something that is like a common language.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Lingua Franca
Noun
Singular:
lingua franca
Plural:
lingua-francas, lingue-francheOrigin of Lingua Franca
Italian lingua language franca Frankish (that is, European)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Italian lingua franca (“Frankish language")
From Wiktionary
Lingua Franca Is Also Mentioned In
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