Where does “Formosan” come from?

Formosan derives from English Formosa, from Italian -ana, from Spanish -ana, from Latin -anus, ultimately from Proto-Italic -os, a masculine singular suffix.

Formosan (English): Of or relating to Formosa or people of Formosa;...

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to Formosa or people of Formosa;...

Ancestry of “Formosan”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishFormosaaround the city
2SpanishFormosa—
3Portugueseformosafeminine singular of formoso; beautiful
4Latinfōrmōsusbeautiful, handsome
5Latinfōrmaform; figure, shape, appearance
6Etruscanmorma—
7Ancient Greekμορφήshape, form; appearance; outline
Every word from Ancient Greek μορφή →Every word from Etruscan morma →Every word from Latin fōrma →