Nineveh
English
[edit]
Etymology
[edit]From Old English Niniue (under influence from Biblical Hebrew נִינְוֵה (nīnəwē)), from Latin Nīnevē, from Ancient Greek Νινευή (Nineuḗ), ultimately from Akkadian 𒌷𒉌𒉡𒀀 𒀏 (/Ninua/) or Old Babylonian 𒌷𒉌𒉡𒀀 (/Ninuwā/) of uncertain origin, but is clearly a variation of 𒀏 (/ninâ/, “fish”).[1] The cuneiform seems to denote "House of Fish", although whether this referred to literal fish, an aspect of Ishtar, a separate Hurrian goddess, or something else entirely is unclear.[2]
The traditional folk etymology in classical antiquity derived it from an eponymous founder Ninus (Greek: Νίνος (Nínos)).[1]
Pronunciation
[edit]Proper noun
[edit]Nineveh
- (historical) The capital of ancient Assyria, now Mosul, Iraq.
Synonyms
[edit]- Mosul (present settlement)
Translations
[edit]ancient capital of Assyria — see also Mosul
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References
[edit]Categories:
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms derived from Biblical Hebrew
- English terms derived from Latin
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English terms derived from Akkadian
- English 3-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English lemmas
- English proper nouns
- English uncountable nouns
- English terms with historical senses
- en:National capitals
- en:Assyria