Zend-A·ves·ta  (zěn'də-věs'tə)  n. The Avesta. [French, from Persian zandavastā, from transposition of Avestā-va-zend, text and commentary, from Pahlavi Abestāg u zand : abestāg, text (sense uncertain, possibly from Avestan *upastāvaka-, praise, from upastaoiti, he praises : upa-, up to, at; see upo in Indo-European roots + staoiti, he praises) + u, with + zand, explanation (from Avestan zainti-, knowledge, interpretation; see gnō- in Indo-European roots).] Zend'-A·ves·ta'ic (-věs-tā'ĭk) adj. |