How Do You Spell SOTHIC?

Pronunciation: [sˈɒθɪk] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Sothic" derives from the name of the ancient Egyptian star Sothis, known as Sirius in modern times. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈsɒθɪk/, with the first syllable rhyming with "hot". The letter "o" in the second syllable represents a short vowel sound, while the letter "th" is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative sound. The suffix "-ic" is added to indicate a connection or association with Sothis/Sirius, as in the Sothic cycle, a system used to date ancient Egyptian calendars.

SOTHIC Meaning and Definition

  1. Sothic is an adjective that relates to or is characteristic of the ancient Egyptian Sothic calendar or the Sothic cycle. The Sothic calendar is an ancient Egyptian calendar that was based on the rising of the star Sirius, also known as the Sothic star or the Dog Star. This calendar was used by the ancient Egyptians to determine the length of their year, which was approximately 365 days.

    The Sothic cycle refers to the 1,460-year period in which the rising of Sirius coincided with the beginning of the Egyptian year. This cycle was observed by the ancient Egyptians and was of great significance to their agricultural practices and religious rituals. The rising of Sirius marked the beginning of the Nile flood, which was crucial for the fertility of the land and the success of their agricultural endeavors.

    In a broader sense, the term "Sothic" can also refer to any astronomical or calendrical phenomena related to the Sothic calendar or the Sothic cycle. It is often used in the context of ancient Egyptian history, archaeology, and astronomy.

    Overall, the term "Sothic" is used to describe anything that is related to the ancient Egyptian Sothic calendar or the Sothic cycle, including the calendar itself, the cycle's significance, and its various astronomical and calendrical aspects.

  2. Of or pert. to Sothis, the Egyptian name for the dog-star.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SOTHIC

Etymology of SOTHIC

The word "Sothic" originates from the Greek word "Sothis", which refers to the star Sirius. Sirius was an important celestial body in ancient Egyptian astronomy as it marked the beginning of the Egyptian calendar year. The ancient Egyptians associated Sirius with the flooding of the Nile River, an essential event for agriculture and their civilization. The term "Sothic" was later adopted by modern scholars studying ancient Egyptian chronology, particularly in relation to the Sothic cycle, a 1,460-year astronomical cycle based on the heliacal rising of Sirius.

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