Nabataean

 
Pronunciation: /ˌnabəˈtiːən/
(also Nabatean)

noun

  • 1a member of an ancient Arabian people who from 312 bc formed an independent kingdom with its capital at Petra (now in Jordan). The kingdom was allied to the Roman Empire from 63 bc and incorporated as the province of Arabia in ad 106.
  • 2 [mass noun] the extinct language of the Nabataeans, a form of Aramaic strongly influenced by Arabic.

adjective

  • relating to the Nabataeans or their language.

Origin:

from Latin Nabat(h)aeus, Greek Nabat(h)aios (compare with the Arabic adjective Nabaṭī 'relating to the Nabataeans') + -an