Bactrian
/ˈbæk.tri.ən/noun
Relating to ancient Bactria or to the Bactrian camel, a two-humped camel.
Did you know?Bactria was centered around ancient Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, and the Bactrian camel was named after this historic region even though its range extended far beyond it.
Etymological Timeline
1st millennium BCE
Old Persian
Bāxtriš
“The name of the ancient Central Asian region later known as Bactria.”
5th–4th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Βακτριανή (Baktrianē)
“Bactria; the region east of the Iranian plateau.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Bactriana
“Bactria or something associated with Bactria.”
18th Century
English
Bactrian
“Relating to Bactria, its people, language, or culture.”
Modern English
English
Bactrian
“Especially associated with the Bactrian camel, distinguished by its two humps.”