Scythian

[sith-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. pertaining to Scythia, its people, or their language.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Scythia.

2. the Iranian language spoken by the ancient Scythians.

ˈScythian

/ ˈsɪðɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Scythia, its inhabitants, or their language

noun

1. a member of an ancient nomadic people of Scythia

2. the extinct language of this people, belonging to the East Iranian branch of the Indo-European family

Word History and Origins

Origin of Scythian¹

First recorded in 1535–45; Scythi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Once, when he was tasked with writing an essay about the Scythian period of Indian history, he travelled to a museum in a neighbouring state to study first-hand sculptures and scripts from that era.

From BBC

Prometheus found himself chained to the side of a Scythian mountain for disobeying the gods, who believed their strength depended on keeping people in dumb and servile awe.

From Salon

Sometimes the attendees’ feedback could be “a shock to the curatorial ego,” Frost said, giving the example of a 2017 exhibition on the Scythians, nomadic tribespeople from Siberia.

From New York Times

Skif, Ukrainian shorthand for the nomadic Scythian people who founded an empire on what is now Crimea, moves like the camouflaged amphibian that he is: Calculating, deliberate, until the time to strike.

From Seattle Times

Skif, Ukrainian shorthand for the nomadic Scythian people who founded an empire on what is now Crimea, moves like the camouflaged amphibian that he is: Calculating, deliberate, until the time to strike.

From Seattle Times