babylonian
|ba-by-lo-ni-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌbæb.əˈloʊ.ni.ən/
🇬🇧
/ˌbæb.əˈləʊ.ni.ən/
of or from Babylon; relating to Babylon
Etymology
'Babylonian' originates from English place-name 'Babylon' + the adjectival suffix '-ian' (from Latin/Old French). The place-name 'Babylon' ultimately comes from Akkadian 'Bāb-ilim' or 'Bāb-ilu', where 'bābu' meant 'gate' and 'ilu/ilim' meant 'god' (so 'gate of the god' or 'gate of God').
'Babylon' entered Greek as 'Babylṓn', then Latin 'Babylon', passed into Old French as 'Babylone' and Middle English as 'Babylon'. The adjective and demonym 'Babylonian' developed in English by adding the suffix '-ian' to the place-name.
Initially it denoted literally 'of or from the city of Babylon' and its people; over time it also came to refer to the language and culture of Babylon, and in figurative usage it acquired senses of extreme luxury, decadence, or oppression.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person from ancient Babylon or a member of the people of Babylon.
The museum display included artifacts made by Babylonians more than 2,500 years ago.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to Babylon, its people, language, culture, or civilization.
The museum houses Babylonian tablets inscribed with cuneiform script.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
figuratively, extravagantly luxurious, decadent, or oppressive (often used in literary or rhetorical contexts).
The novel describes the city's Babylonian excesses before its sudden collapse.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 14:46