Coptic

[ kop-tik ]

noun

1. an Afroasiatic language of Egypt descended from ancient Egyptian, largely extinct as a spoken language since the 16th century but surviving as the liturgical language of the Coptic Church.

adjective

1. of or relating to Coptic or the Copts.

Coptic

/ ˈkɒptɪk /

noun

1. an Afro-Asiatic language, written in the Greek alphabet but descended from ancient Egyptian. It was extinct as a spoken language by about 1600 ad but survives in the Coptic Church

adjective

1. of or relating to this language
2. of or relating to the Copts

Word History and Origins

Origin of Coptic¹

First recorded in 1670–80; Copt + -ic

Example Sentences

It, too, is a trove of exemplary works, from exquisite Raphael drawings to groovy 1970s plastic radios; Coptic tunics to Alexander McQueen couture gowns; vividly hued Islamic tiles to a bunch of grand English beds.

From New York Times

It was all caught on a live stream - beamed out over the internet to the local congregation and beyond, the news spreading quickly in Assyrian, Maronite, Catholic and Coptic Christian communities.

From BBC

In Port Sudan we also meet a group of Coptic Christians who have fled the capital, to escape RSF threats and attacks, and the military's air strikes.

From BBC

The murder has sent shockwaves throughout the Coptic Orthodox community in South Africa and beyond.

From BBC

Mr. Henein’s father, who is a Coptic Christian from Egypt, anointed them with holy oil.

From New York Times