Avestan

[ uh-ves-tuhn ]

noun

1. an ancient East Iranian language of the Indo-European family, the language of all the Avesta but the Gathas. Compare Gathic ( def 1 ).

adjective

1. of or relating to the Avesta or its language.

Avestan

/ əˈvɛstɪk; əˈvɛstən /

noun

1. the oldest recorded language of the Iranian branch of the Indo-European family; the language of the Avesta Formerly calledZend

adjective

1. of or relating to the Avesta or its language

Word History and Origins

Origin of Avestan¹

First recorded in 1855–60; Avest(a) + -an

Example Sentences

The text, which describes the world’s creation, destruction and restoration, is in Avestan, a sacred dialect given a written form in the 6th or 7th century A.D. by Zoroastrian priests.

From Seattle Times

It was usually to be a national apotheosis, and was not generally supposed to include the human race, though traces of this wider view might easily be quoted from Avestan, Roman, and Israelitic sources.

From Project Gutenberg

The collection, such as it was, was in the Avestan dialect, which had grown partially obsolete and unintelligible.

From Project Gutenberg

Sanson states that the Gavres have kept up the old Persian language and that it is entirely different from modern Persian,57 a distinct recognition of the existence of the Avestan language.

From Project Gutenberg

The Avestan Morals are brought out by Mr. Johnson in their original and exceeding purity.

From Project Gutenberg