Lebanese
/ˌlɛb.əˈniːz/noun
Relating to Lebanon or its people, culture, or language.
Did you know?Lebanon’s ancient name is linked to the Semitic root laban, “white,” likely evoking snow-covered peaks or the region’s pale limestone mountains.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*lbn
“White; a root associated with whiteness”
Biblical period
Hebrew
לְבָנוֹן (Ləvānōn)
“Lebanon, traditionally connected with the white appearance of its mountains”
Classical period
Greek
Libanos
“Lebanon; the mountain region”
Ancient Rome
Latin
Libanus
“Mount Lebanon”
Medieval period
Arabic
Lubnān
“Lebanon; from the Semitic root associated with whiteness”
17th Century
English
Lebanese
“Of or relating to Lebanon, formed from Lebanon with the demonym suffix -ese”
Modern English
English
Lebanese
“Relating to Lebanon or its people”