The term "Satem languages" refers to a group of Indo-European languages that share a specific phonetic feature: the palatalization of the Proto-Indo-European velar consonants. This group includes languages such as Lithuanian, Latvian, and the Slavic languages. The name "Satem" comes from the Avestan word for "hundred," which reflects this phonetic change. Satem languages are contrasted with "Centum languages," which include languages like Latin and Greek. The distinction between these two groups is significant in historical linguistics, as it helps linguists understand the evolution and migration of the Indo-European language family across different regions.