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🏺 An ancient people 📜 An old language
Canaanite

Canaanite

9.9
An old language once spoken by people in Canaan before the Israelite conquest
  • noun
  • /ˈkeɪnəˌnaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lengua cananita
  • The grammar of Canaanite shares many features with Hebrew and Phoenician.

Examples

  • And in these texts we read of the exploits of the gods of Canaanite religion.

  • These symbols... they're Canaanite.

    King Solomon's Mines (1985)

  • Many ancient texts have been discovered that provide insight into Canaanite culture.

  • Scholars study Canaanite inscriptions to understand the history of the region before the Israelites.

Synonyms

Canaanite language
vsCanaanite
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of related ancient languages once spoken in Canaan before the Israelite conquest

has identical meaning but uses more formal wording about past occupation

Compounds

Canaanite language
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of related ancient languages once spoken in Canaan before the Israelite conquest

Surface Forms

Canaanite singular
Canaanites plural

Morphology

Canaanite = Canaan (transparent) = Canaan + ite

The language name is formed by adding the demonym/language suffix '-ite' to the place-name 'Canaan', a clear and productive pattern.

Etymology

Canaanite is also used for the old language of the people of Canaan, because languages are often named after the place where they are spoken. That is why Canaanite can mean an ancient Semitic language from that region.