Avestan

[ uh-ves-tuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an ancient East Iranian language of the Indo-European family, the language of all the Avesta but the Gathas. Compare Gathic ( def 1 ).

Avestan

/ əˈvɛstən; əˈvɛstɪk /

the oldest recorded language of the Iranian branch of the Indo-European family; the language of the Avesta Formerly calledZend

Origin of Avestan¹

First recorded in 1855–60; Avest(a) + -an

The language of the Avesta can be correctly describedonly as Avestan, for no other literature in the same language exists.

The present collection is made by combining various Avestan codexes.

Among the Avestan Fragments, attention might finally be called to one which we must be glad has not been lost.

The reciprocal help of the deity and the king (19–21) is Avestan, and inconsistent with monotheism.

The Avestan Morals are brought out by Mr. Johnson in their original and exceeding purity.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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