Minoan

English

Etymology

Sir Arthur Evans, not knowing the Minoan term for Minoan at the time, coined this name in the early 20th century, from Ancient Greek Μίνως (Mínōs), the mythical king of Crete. The actual name is probably reflected in Egyptian kftjw (perhaps reconstructible as *Káftayu) and Biblical Hebrew כַּפְתּוֹר (Kaftor, Caphthor).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /mɪˈnəʊən/

Adjective

Minoan (not comparable)

  1. Of or relating to the civilization that developed in Crete from the neolithic period to the Bronze Age (about 3000-1050 B.C.E.).
  2. Of or relating to the writing systems (Linear A and Linear B) used in Crete and later in mainland Greece.
  3. Of or relating to the ancient language of the Minoans which died out by the beginning of the 1st millennium B.C.E.

Translations

Noun

Minoan (plural Minoans)

  1. A person who belonged to the Minoan civilization.

Translations

Proper noun

Minoan

  1. The language written in Linear A.

See also

Anagrams

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