Adjacent Words

Persian definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: of or relating to Iran or its people or language or culture; "Iranian mountains"; "Iranian security police" [syn: Iranian, Persian] n
1: a native or inhabitant of Iran; "the majority of Irani are Persian Shiite Muslims" [syn: Irani, Iranian, Persian]
2: the language of Persia (Iran) in any of its ancient forms [syn: Persian, Farsi]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 14th century 1. one of the people of Persia: as a. one of the ancient Iranians who under Cyrus and his successors founded an empire in southwest Asia b. a member of one of the peoples forming the modern Iranian nationality 2. a. any of several Iranian languages dominant in Persia at different periods b. the modern language of Iran and western Afghanistan — see Indo-European languages table 3. a thin soft silk formerly used especially for linings 4. Persian cat • Persian adjective

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & adj. --n. 1 a a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern Persia (now Iran). b a person of Persian descent. 2 the language of ancient Persia or modern Iran. Usage: With modern reference the preferred terms are Iranian and Farsi. 3 (in full Persian cat) a a cat of a breed with long silky hair and a thick tail. b this breed. --adj. of or relating to Persia or its people or language. Phrases and idioms: Persian carpet (or rug) a carpet or rug of a traditional pattern made in Persia. Persian lamb the silky tightly curled fur of a young karakul, used in clothing. Etymology: ME f. OF persien f. med.L

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Persian Per"sian, a. [From Persia: cf. It. Persiano. Cf. Parsee, Peach, Persic.] Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their language. Persian berry, the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius, a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond. Persian cat. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Angora cat, under Angora. Persian columns (Arch.), columns of which the shaft represents a Persian slave; -- called also Persians. See Atlantes. Persian drill (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder. Persian fire (Med.), malignant pustule. Persian powder. See Insect powder, under Insect. Persian red. See Indian red (a), under Indian. Persian wheel, a noria; a tympanum. See Noria.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Persian Per"sian, n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Persia. 2. The language spoken in Persia. 3. A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings. --Beck. 4. pl. (Arch.) See Persian columns, under Persian, a.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(Persians) 1. Something that is Persian belongs or relates to the ancient kingdom of Persia, or sometimes to the modern state of Iran. ADJ 2. Persians were the people who came from the ancient kingdom of Persia. N-COUNT 3. Persian carpets and rugs traditionally come from Iran. They are made by hand from silk or wool and usually have patterns in deep colours. ADJ 4. Persian is the language that is spoken in Iran, and was spoken in the ancient Persian empire.