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Glite Dictionary
Zend language

Zend language

9.9
An old Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious texts
  • noun
: lengua zend
  • The Zend language is preserved mainly in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism.

Examples

  • Scholars often study the Zend language to better understand ancient Persian culture and religion.

  • Many religious ceremonies were conducted in the Zend language centuries ago.

  • The Zend language is crucial for understanding Zoroastrian texts.

  • Can you explain the significance of the Zend language?

  • Many religious ceremonies were conducted in the Zend language centuries ago.

  • The Zend language is preserved mainly in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism.

  • Scholars often study the Zend language to better understand ancient Persian culture and religion.

Synonyms

Zend
vsZend language
1 9.9

An ancient Iranian language used in Zoroastrian religious books

is the longer phrase that includes the word language
Avestan language
vsZend language
  • Specialized
9.9

Ancient Iranian language used to write the holy books of Zoroastrianism

is used more generally for religious writings and scriptures
Avestan
vsZend language
  • Specialized
9.9

An ancient Iranian language used for the Zoroastrian sacred texts

is the broader historic label for scripture use not only hymns
Gathic language
vsZend language
  • Specialized
9.9

An ancient Iranian language people used to write the Gathas, Zoroastrian sacred songs

is narrower than the general scripture term focused on those hymns
Gathic
vsZend language
  • Specialized
9.9

An ancient Iranian language used in the oldest Zoroastrian hymns

is limited in use to those few sacred hymns rather than all scriptures

Surface Forms

Zend language singular
Zend languages plural

Morphology

Zend + language

The phrase combines a proper name 'Zend' (identified as relating to Zoroastrian religious texts) with the noun 'language', so its meaning — a language associated with Zend/Zoroastrian texts — follows directly from the constituent meanings. This X + language naming pattern is cross-linguistically common and compositional, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Zend language comes from the old word Zend, which once meant 'explanations' of sacred texts. Those explanations were written in an ancient Iranian language used in Zoroastrian sacred books, so Zend language came to mean that old religious language.