Armenian edit

Etymology edit

From Old Armenian այբ (ayb).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

այբ (ayb)

  1. the name of the Armenian letter ա (a)

Usage notes edit

Eastern Armenians in Armenia prefer calling this letter simply [ɑ], probably under the influence of Russian, which has no elaborate names for its letters.

Declension edit

Old Armenian edit

Etymology edit

Developed from *այփ (*aypʻ) under the influence of the succeeding letter բեն (ben), from ալփ (alpʻ), from Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha).[1]

Noun edit

այբ (ayb)

  1. the name of the Armenian letter ա (a)
  2. (figuratively) beginning
    Antonym: քէ (kʻē)
    • 5th century, Bible, Revelation 1.8:
      Ես եմ Այբ եւ ես եմ Քէ []
      Es em Ayb ew es em Kʻē []
      I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending []

Declension edit

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Armenian: այբ (ayb)

References edit

  1. ^ Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1971) “այբ”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, volume I, Yerevan: University Press, pages 164–165

Further reading edit

  • Awetikʻean, G., Siwrmēlean, X., Awgerean, M. (1836–1837) “այբ”, in Nor baṙgirkʻ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
  • Petrosean, Matatʻeay (1879) “այբ”, in Nor Baṙagirkʻ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy