TYRIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Tyrian is an adjective that refers to anything pertaining to or associated with the ancient city of Tyre or its inhabitants. It can also describe the deep, reddish-purple color often associated with the dye produced by the city's renowned artisans.
In the historical context, Tyre was a major Phoenician city located in modern-day Lebanon. It was known for its prosperity and strategic location as a prominent maritime and trading hub in the ancient world. As a result, the people of Tyre, known as Tyrians, were known for their expertise in areas such as shipbuilding, commerce, and craftsmanship.
The color tyrian, sometimes also referred to as "Tyrian purple", is a rich, dark shade of purple with hints of red. It was derived from a purple dye made from the secretions of a certain type of sea snail found in the Mediterranean, known as Murex brandaris. Tyrian purple was highly sought after and associated with royalty and the wealthy due to its rarity and cost. Its production and trade were major sources of wealth and prestige for the city of Tyre.
Today, the term Tyrian is predominantly used to evoke the historical and cultural significance of the city of Tyre or to describe the deep purple hue associated with the ancient Tyrian dye.
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• Pert. to anc. Tyre; richly purple, as from the anc. Tyrian dye.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TYRIAN
Etymology of TYRIAN
The word "Tyrian" originates from the city of Tyre, which was an important Phoenician city in ancient times. The etymology of the word can be traced back to the Greek word "Tyros" (Τύρος), which ultimately comes from the Phoenician word "ṭūr" or "ṭyros". The Phoenician language was a Semitic language spoken in the ancient Phoenician civilization, which was located in the area corresponding to present-day Lebanon and northern Israel. Over the centuries, the name Tyrian came to represent various things associated with or originating from the city of Tyre, such as the people, their culture, and their dyeing industry that produced the valuable Tyrian purple dye.
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