Ziggurat
/ˈzɪɡ.ər.æt/noun
A rectangular stepped tower, often associated with ancient Mesopotamian temple complexes.
Did you know?Ziggurats were thought to be the earthly homes of gods, acting as bridges between heaven and earth in ancient Sumerian belief.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
PS
*zqr
“to build, to construct”
Akkadian
Akkadian
ziggurat
“a raised area, a high place (often for worship)”
Old Babylonian
Old Babylonian
ziggurat
“a stepped temple structure dedicated to deities”
Modern English
English
ziggurat
“a term for the ancient Mesopotamian temple structure, adopted from historical texts”