Aramaic
/ˌær.əˈmeɪ.ɪk/noun
A Northwest Semitic language historically used across large parts of the ancient Near East, and its related dialects.
Did you know?Aramaic became the everyday language of huge stretches of the Near East, and parts of it survive in Jewish, Christian, and Mandaean liturgical traditions today.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Near East
Semitic
ʾĂrām
“The name of the Aramean people and their homeland in the Levant and Mesopotamian borderlands.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Aramaios
“A term used for the Arameans and their language.”
Late Latin
Latin
Aramaicus
“Pertaining to the Arameans or their language.”
Middle English
English
Aramayk / Aramaic
“Used in learned contexts for the ancient Semitic language of the Arameans.”
Modern English
English
Aramaic
“The historical Semitic language and its dialects.”