Arax
/ˈær.æks/noun
A modern English spelling used for the Arax or Aras River, which flows through the Caucasus region and forms part of the Turkey–Iran border.
Did you know?The name is ancient, but its ultimate origin is uncertain; classical Greek writers knew the river as the Araxes, while Armenian preserves it as Araks.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Ἀράξης (Araxēs)
“The Araxes River, the classical Greek name for the river”
Roman Antiquity
Latin
Araxes
“The river name adopted in Latin geographical and historical writing”
Medieval Armenian
Armenian
Արաքս (Araks)
“The Araks River, the Armenian form of the ancient name”
Medieval Persian
Persian
ارس (Aras)
“The Aras River, the Persian form of the name”
Modern English
English
Arax / Araxes
“English forms referring to the Aras or Arax River”