Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
📜 Of Avesta texts 🗣️ An old language 🔡 A writing system
Avestan

Avestan

9.9
An ancient Iranian language used for the Zoroastrian sacred texts
  • noun
  • /əˈvɛstən/
  • Specialized
: avéstico
  • The Avestan language is primarily preserved in the Zoroastrian scriptures known as the Avesta.

Examples

  • The ritual prayers were originally composed in Avestan.

  • The Avestan texts are crucial for understanding Zoroastrianism.

  • Linguists study Avestan to understand the early history of Indo-Iranian languages.

  • Many scholars study Avestan to learn about ancient Iranian culture.

  • The Avestan language is primarily preserved in the Zoroastrian scriptures known as the Avesta.

  • Linguists study Avestan to understand the early history of Indo-Iranian languages.

  • Many scholars study Avestan to learn about ancient Iranian culture.

Synonyms

Avestan language
vsAvestan
  • Specialized
9.9

Ancient Iranian language used to write the holy books of Zoroastrianism

is identical in meaning but phrased as chiefly known for those sacred texts

Compounds

Avestan language
  • Specialized
9.9

Ancient Iranian language used to write the holy books of Zoroastrianism

Surface Forms

Avestan singular
Avestans plural

Morphology

Avestan = Avesta (transparent) = Avesta + an

The language name is derived from the name of the sacred texts with the regular '-an' nominal/adjectival formation.

Etymology

Avestan takes its name from the book Avesta, and it names the old Iranian language used in that book, so Avestan means 'the ancient language of the Avesta'.