Tocharian

== English == === Alternative forms === Toch. (abbreviation) Tokharian === Etymology === From Latin Tocharī + -ian, the first element deriving from Ancient Greek Τόχαροι (Tókharoi, “Tochari/Tukharas (an ancient people of Bactria)”), plural of Τόχαρος (Tókharos), probably from an Indo-Iranian source (Old Persian [script needed] (tuxāri-), Khotanese [script needed] (ttahvāra)); compare Sanskrit तुखार (tukhāra). When manuscripts in an unknown Indo-European language were discovered in the early 20th century in the Tarim Basin, scholars linked them to the Tochari/Tukharas mentioned in ancient sources. As a result, the language was called "Tocharian". However, most scholars now believe this identification was incorrect. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /təʊˈkɛəɹi.ən/, /təʊˈkɑːɹi.ən/ (General American, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA(key): /toʊˈkɛɹi.ən/, /toʊˈkɑɹi.ən/ Rhymes: -ɛəɹiən === Adjective === Tocharian (original sense) Of or relating to the Tochari (people of Bactria). [from 20th c.] Of or pertaining to the Tocharian languages or the Tocharians of the Tarim Basin. ==== Translations ==== === Noun === Tocharian (plural Tocharians) (original sense) Any member of the Tochari, a people who inhabited Bactria. Synonyms: Tokhar, Tukhar, Tukhara [from 20th c.] Any member of a people who inhabited the Tarim Basin and spoke the so-called Tocharian languages. Hyponyms: Agnean, Kuchean ==== Usage notes ==== The application of the name Tocharian to the Tarim Basin peoples is modern and is not securely connected to the classical Tochari. ==== Translations ==== === Proper noun === Tocharian (linguistics) An extinct branch of the Indo-European language family, consisting of two languages, Tocharian A and Tocharian B, written in an abugida derived from Brahmi. [from 20th c.] Hyponyms: Agnean, Kuchean, Proto-Tocharian, Tocharian A, Tocharian B ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Related terms === === Anagrams === archontia