Syriac

noun

Syr·​i·​ac ˈsir-ē-ˌak 

1

: a literary language based on an eastern Aramaic dialect and used as the literary and liturgical language by several Eastern Christian churches

2

: Aramaic spoken by Christian communities

Syriac adjective

Examples of Syriac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Maronite Mass is similar to the Mass in other Catholic churches, but some parts may be said in Syriac (an Aramaic language) and Arabic. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024

But examples of similar texts exist in Latin, Hebrew, Coptic, Syriac, Armenian and Georgian. —Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

The text is one of only four examples of the Old Syriac translation. —Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 11 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin syriacus Syrian, from Greek syriakos, from Syria, ancient country in Asia

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Syriac

noun

Syr·​i·​ac ˈsir-ē-ˌak 

1

: a literary language based on an eastern Aramaic dialect and used as the literary and liturgical language by several eastern Christian churches

2

: Aramaic spoken by Christian communities

Syriac adjective