English

Pronunciation

• SAMPA: /{r@meIk/, IPA: /ˌæɹə'mɛɪk/

Etymology

• From the English Aram, the place settled by Aramaeans; from the Aramaic אֲרָם, ʾ^arām.

Proper noun

Aramaic (plural: Aramaics)

1. A language in the Semitic language group :
   • The language of the Aramaeans from the tenth century BC.
   • The language of the administration in the Assyrian , Babylonian and Persian empires from the seventh to fourth centuries BC.
   • The language of portions of the Hebrew Bible , mainly the books of Ezra and Daniel.
   • Most probably the language of Jesus.
   • The language of Jewish targums , midrash and the Talmuds .
   • The liturgical language of various Christian churchs: often called Syriac.
   • The liturgical language of the Mandaeans : usually called Mandaic .

Derived terms

• Aramaicise , aramaicize .

Related terms

• Aram , Aramaean , Aramean , Syria, Syriac, Syrian.

Adjective

Aramaic

1. Referring to the Aramaic language, for example, Aramaic alphabet, Aramaic culture, Aramaic poetry.

See also

• Wikipedia article on the Aramaic language .