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

After his audience with Macron, the pope met with bishops from the Chaldean Church of Baghdad, whom he called "signs of hope in a world marked by senseless and inhuman violence".

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“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

And he finished 10th with Chaldean in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes where French challenger Big Rock was an impressive six-length winner.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2023

He felt like the inhabitant of an ancient tomb, an Egyptian pharaoh or Chaldean king.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer