transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈsir-ē-ə ]
geographical name
1. ancient region SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean & covering modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, & Jordan
2. former French mandate (1920-44) comprising the Le·vant States lə-ˈvant (Syria, Lebanon, Latakia, & Jebel ed Druz), administrative capital Beirut, legislative capital Damascus
3. country SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean; a republic 1944-58 & since 1961; a province of United Arab Republic 1958-61 capital Damascus area 71,498 square miles (185,180 square kilometers ), population 13,398,000
• Syr·i·an ˈsir-ē-ən adjective or noun