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definitions

Zend

[zend]
noun
  1. Zoroastrianism. a translation and exposition of the Avesta in Pahlavi.
  2. Archaic. Avestan(def 1).

Origin of Zend

First recorded in 1690–1700; see origin at Zend-Avesta
Related formsZend·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for zend

Historical Examples of zend

  • The commentary is not written in the Zend language, but in Pahlavi or Persian.

    History of Religion

    Allan Menzies

  • So far we may accept Hegel's interpretation of the Zend doctrine.

    Moon Lore

    Timothy Harley

  • I say, Phœbe, I have a great curiosity to understand the Zend.

    Hopes and Fears

    Charlotte M. Yonge

  • The language is Zend from which the Persian language is derived.

    Modern Persia

    Mooshie G. Daniel

  • Airja in Zend stood both for “honourable” and for the name of the Iranian, people.

British Dictionary definitions for zend

Zend

noun
  1. a former name for Avestan
  2. short for Zend-Avesta
  3. an exposition of the Avesta in the Middle Persian language (Pahlavi)
Derived FormsZendic, adjective

Word Origin for Zend

C18: from Persian zand commentary, exposition; used specifically of the Middle Persian commentary on the Avesta, hence of the language of the Avesta itself
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for zend

Zend

1715, "Parsee sacred book" (in full, Zend-Avesta, 1620s), from Old Persian zend, from Pahlavi zand "commentary." First used in reference to the language of the Zend-Avesta in 1771 by Anquetiel-Duperron (1731-1805).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper