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noun

Hittite

HIH-tyt

Hittite (noun) means a member of the ancient Hittite people, a Bronze Age civilization based in Anatolia (modern Turkey). Example: “Archaeologists uncovered a Hittite palace dating back over 3,000 years.”

noun
1
A member of the ancient Hittite people, a Bronze Age civilization based in Anatolia (modern Turkey).
"Archaeologists uncovered a Hittite palace dating back over 3,000 years."
2
The extinct Indo-European language spoken by the Hittites.
"Hittite is one of the oldest recorded Indo-European languages."
adj
1
Relating to the Hittite people, language, or kingdom.
"The museum has a fine collection of Hittite carvings."

How to use Hittite

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with the Hittites, an ancient Bronze Age empire in what is now Turkey, or their language.

Word forms

Hittites plural

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Archaeologists uncovered a _____ palace dating back over 3,000 years.

Etymology

From Biblical Hebrew for the Hittites, which traces to the Hittites' own name for their land, Hatti. Confusingly, the term was applied in the early 20th century to the Indo-European-speaking Anatolian civilization now called Hittite, even though it was originally mixed up with a related but separate people, the Hattians.

Origin: Hebrew · First attested 1900

Class of 1900 Hittite joined the language around 1900.
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Rhymes for Hittite

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Hittite” mean?

The word “Hittite” means a member of the ancient Hittite people, a Bronze Age civilization based in Anatolia (modern Turkey). In plain terms, to do with the Hittites, an ancient Bronze Age empire in what is now Turkey, or their language.

How do you pronounce “Hittite”?

“Hittite” is pronounced HIH-tyt (/ˈhɪ.taɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “Hittite” in a sentence?

Here is “Hittite” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists uncovered a Hittite palace dating back over 3,000 years.”

What part of speech is “Hittite”?

Depending on how it is used, “Hittite” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “Hittite” come from?

The word “Hittite” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Hebrew.

How many meanings does “Hittite” have?

“Hittite” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the ancient Hittite people, a Bronze Age civilization based in Anatolia (modern Turkey).

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