Chaldean

American  

[kal-dee-uhn] / kælˈdi ən /

Also Chaldee

noun

1. one of an ancient Semitic people who lived in Babylonia.

2. the Indigenous Semitic language of the Chaldeans, Aramaic being used as an auxiliary language.

3. Biblical Aramaic.

4. (in the Bible) an astrologer, soothsayer, or enchanter.

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adjective

1. of or belonging to ancient Chaldea.

2. pertaining to astrology, occult learning, etc.

Chaldean British  

/ kælˈdiːən /

noun

1. a member of an ancient Semitic people who controlled S Babylonia from the late 8th to the late 7th century _bc

2. the dialect of Babylonian spoken by this people

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adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient Chaldeans or their language

Etymology

Origin of Chaldean

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin Chaldae(us), from Greek Chaldaîos “a Chaldean, astrologer” + -an

Example Sentences

“The way I see it, we have two options, the Egyptian or the Iraqi model,” said Jamil Yashou, the 38-year-old priest of the St. Teresa Chaldean Catholic Church in the capital’s Christian quarter.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2024

"As a first generation American of Middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and Politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year," Trump wrote.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2024

Sako blames a campaign against him by Rayan al-Kildani, a fellow Chaldean Christian who formed a militia called the Babylon Brigades that fought against IS and still patrols much of the Nineveh plains.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 3, 2023

On Tuesday, Miller criticised a decision by Iraq's president to revoke a decree recognizing Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, as head of the Christian Church in the country.

From Reuters • Jul. 19, 2023

Matt remembered with a chill how often the old man had spoken of the Chaldean kings.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer