Anzu

See also: anzu and anžu-

Translingual

drawing of Anzu wyliei

Anzû pursued by Ninurta, at the time of Ashurnasirpal II.

Etymology

Coined 2014 in reference to the Sumerian myth, see Anzu (“a mythical dragon-like bird”).

Proper noun

Anzu m

1. A taxonomic genus within the family Caenagnathidae – a large, feathered dinosaur, a hell chicken or chicken from hell.

Hypernyms

• (genus): Dinosauria, Theropoda, †Oviraptorosauria - clades; †Caenagnathidae - family; †Caenagnathinae - subfamily

Hyponyms

• (genus): Anzu wyliei - type species

Further reading

• Anzu (dinosaur) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Anzu (dinosaur) on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

English

Lion-headed eagle held by Ninurta as symbol of Lagash, at the time of Entemena (Stele of the Vultures, reverso).

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Sumerian 𒀭𒉎𒂂𒄷 (AN.IM.DUGUD^MUŠEN /⁠Anzû⁠/, “a mythical dragon-like bird”), origin unknown, perhaps from 𒀭 (An, “heaven”) + 𒍪 (zu, “to know”).

Proper noun

Anzu

1. (Mesopotamian mythology) A divine storm-bird in several Mesopotamian religions.
2. (archaeology) Certain depictions of lion-headed eagles in Sumerian art.

Further reading

• Anzû (mythology) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Great Beasts of Legend: Anzu the Lion Headed Eagle by Dr. Steve Tinney, Associate Curator, Babylonian Section, Penn Museum (Oct. 5. 2016). (via youtube.com)