Phoenician
/ˌfiːnɪˈʃiːən/noun
Relating to Phoenicia, an ancient Semitic civilization of the eastern Mediterranean, or to its people or language.
Did you know?The Greek name for the Phoenicians, *Phoinikes*, is commonly linked to *phoinix*—a word associated with purple-red dye, which made their elite textiles legendary across the Mediterranean.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
Phoenician
“A person, language, or thing from ancient Phoenicia.”
Latin
Latin
Phoenicius
“Phoenician; belonging to Phoenicia.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Phoiníkē / Phoînix
“Phoenicia; a Phoenician, likely linked to purple-red dye or the palm tree.”
Possibly earlier Semitic substrate
Unknown
?
“The original self-name of the people is uncertain and not securely recovered.”
Modern historical usage
English
Phoenician
“The standard scholarly and historical term for the ancient eastern Mediterranean civilization.”
Explore more surprising origins