CARPATHIAN [Mtns]

- from Latin Carpates, (Greek Karpates) associated with Dacian tribes, the Carpes / Carpi, of

the region.* Both may derive from Indo-European root ker/sker = (rock) cliff / peak or

rugged. Related to Albanian karpë = rock. Romanian (ş)carpă = precipice, Lithuanian

karpyti = peaks like a saw, Sanskrit kar = cut, making them "Rocky Cliffs/ Mountains"

An alternate theory suggests it's from IE root kwerp = to turn (like Greek Karpathos island),

perhaps referring to L bend/ turn of the range. Another connects it to the IE root kerp-= body,

stomach, shape, beauty, instead, making then the "Beautiful Mountains"

  * Uncertain of the people were named for the mountains or the mountains for the people...Though some argue the similarity in names is coincidence and the people derive from Slavic root krepu = strong / brave