n. & adj.
--n. a branch of the Semitic family of languages, esp. the language of Syria used as a lingua franca in the Near East from the sixth century BC, later dividing into varieties one of which included Syriac and Mandaean.
--adj. of or in Aramaic.
Etymology: L Aramaeus f. Gk Aramaios of Aram (bibl. name of Syria)