Svetlice

Svetlice (Cyrillic: Светлице) is a South Slavic toponym, most commonly found in the Serbian language, and less frequently in Bosnian and Croatian. It generally refers to a place or feature that is characterized by light, brightness, or clearings. It can refer to villages, hamlets, clearings in forests, or even specific locations known for their exposure to sunlight.

The term is derived from the word "svetlo" (светло) which means "light" in Serbian and other related South Slavic languages. The suffix "-ice" is a common Slavic suffix used to denote a place or location associated with the root word. Therefore, "Svetlice" literally translates to "place of light" or "bright place."

Toponymy using "Svetlice" can be indicative of various geographic characteristics. The area might be a clearing within a dense forest where sunlight penetrates. Alternatively, it could refer to a village situated on a hilltop or in a valley that receives ample sunlight. The specific meaning is context-dependent and often tied to the local geography of the area where the toponym is found.

The prevalence of "Svetlice" as a place name in Serbia suggests its historical importance and association with locations deemed desirable for settlement or use, likely due to the accessibility of light for agriculture, safety (visibility), or other beneficial reasons. Variations of the name or closely related terms using the "svetlo" root can be found throughout the South Slavic language area.