Centum languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family characterized by their treatment of the Proto-Indo-European velar consonants. In these languages, the original velar sounds evolved into labial or palatal sounds, leading to distinct phonetic features. Examples of Centum languages include Latin, Greek, and the Germanic languages. The term "Centum" comes from the Latin word for "hundred," reflecting the way these languages handle certain sounds. In contrast, the Satem languages, another branch of the Indo-European family, preserve the original velar sounds. This classification helps linguists understand the historical development of languages and their relationships.