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Glite Dictionary
Linear A

Linear A

9.9
A writing system from ancient Crete that no one can read
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪniər eɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lineal A
  • The meaning of the symbols in Linear A remains a mystery to linguists and historians.

Examples

  • The Linear A script is fascinating.

  • The Linear A script consists of various symbols and signs.

  • Archaeologists discovered clay tablets bearing Linear A inscriptions during their excavations in Knossos.

  • Many believe that Linear A was used for administrative purposes in Minoan society.

  • The ancient writing system known as Linear A remains a mystery to historians.

  • Archaeologists uncovered artifacts that featured inscriptions in Linear A during their excavations in Crete.

  • Researchers are trying to decode the symbols used in Linear A, which predates the more well-known Linear B.

Surface Forms

Linear A singular
Linear As plural

Morphology

linear + A

This is a proper name for a specific ancient script; knowing 'linear' (pertaining to a line) and 'A' (the letter) does not allow a B1 learner to infer the specialized meaning 'an undeciphered writing system of ancient Crete'. Although the form resembles a naming convention (e.g. Linear B), the historical and linguistic sense is not compositionally predictable from the parts, so it is not transparent.

Etymology

Linear A was named by researchers because the signs are made of straight lines and they labeled this set with the letter A, while a later, different set was called Linear B. It is the name of an old writing system from Crete whose signs we still cannot read, so the word refers to an 'undeciphered' script.