Meroitic
/ˌmɛr.oʊˈɪtɪk/noun
Relating to Meroe, the ancient Nubian kingdom and its language or writing system.
Did you know?Meroitic is one of the world’s oldest known written languages whose script has been partly deciphered, but whose underlying language remains incompletely understood.
Etymological Timeline
1st millennium BCE
Ancient Egyptian
Bꜣ-rꜣ-wꜣ
“A proposed Egyptian form associated with Meroe; the exact ancient origin of the name is uncertain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Μερόη (Meróē)
“Greek name for Meroe, the royal city in Nubia.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Meroë
“Latin form of the name of the Nubian city and kingdom.”
19th Century
English
Meroitic
“An English scholarly adjective formed from Meroe, referring to the kingdom, language, or script.”
Modern English
English
Meroitic
“Relating to ancient Meroe, its civilization, its language, or its distinctive writing system.”