|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| lin·gua fran·ca [ lìng gwə frángkə ] (plural lin·gua fran·cas or lin·guae fran·cae [ lìng gwee frángkee ]) |
noun |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. language used for convenience: a language or mixture of languages used for communication by people who speak different first languages
|
2. traders' language in Mediterranean: the mixed language used chiefly by merchants throughout Mediterranean ports until the 18th century, consisting mainly of Italian with features of French, Spanish, Greek, Arabic, and Turkish
|
| [Late 17th century. < Italian, "Frankish tongue"] |
|
|
|
