What does Persian mean?


Persian \Per"sian\, n.

1. A native or inhabitant of Persia. [1913 Webster]

2. The language spoken in Persia. Ancient Persian of the 3rd to 10th centuries is also called Pahlavi, and modern Persian is also called Farsi. [1913 Webster + PJC]

3. A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings. --Beck. [1913 Webster]

4. pl. (Arch.) See Persian columns, under Persian, a. [1913 Webster]


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. [1913 Webster]

Persian berry, the fruit of Rhamnus infectorius, a kind of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly from Trebizond.

Persian cat. (Zool.) 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. [1913 Webster]


Persian adj
1: of or relating to Iran or its people or language or culture; "Iranian mountains"; "Iranian security police" [syn: Iranian, Persian]

noun

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]




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