I. əˈsirēən also aˈ- adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Assyria, ancient empire of western Asia + English -an
1.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Assyria, an ancient empire of western Asia
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Assyrians
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Assyrian language
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: capitalized
1.
a. : a member of an ancient Semitic race forming the Assyrian nation and characterized physically by a muscular frame, brachycephaly, a tawny complexion, and a prominent hooked nose
b. : a Babylonian Semite
2. : the Semitic language of the Assyrians, a dialect of Akkadian — see afro-asiatic languages table
3. : a member of a brunette Caucasian ethnic group in Asia Minor and Iraq whose language is neo-Syriac — compare chaldean