Old Armenian edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Of Iranian origin. Compare Inscriptional Parthian 𐭀𐭓𐭅𐭎𐭕 (ʾrwst, virtue), Old Persian [script needed] (aruvasta-, activity, physical prowess). The ending was perhaps contaminated with the suffix -ստ (-st).

Noun edit

արուեստ (aruest)

  1. art; trade, handicraft
    ազատական արուեստazatakan aruestliberal arts
    մեքենական արուեստmekʻenakan aruestmechanical arts
    գեղեցիկ արուեստgełecʻik aruestfine arts
  2. skilfully crafted handiwork
  3. sign, miracle
  4. monster
  5. artifice, expedient, means, invention, ingenuity

Usage notes edit

There was no distinction between արուեստ (aruest) and արհեստ (arhest) in Old Armenian; the latter was merely the post-classical spelling of the former. In modern literary Armenian արհեստ (arhest) is used for “handicraft, trade” while արվեստ (arvest) is reserved only for “mental creation, art”.

Declension edit

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Armenian: արվեստ (arvest), արհեստ (arhest)

References edit

  • Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1971–1979) “արուեստ”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, Yerevan: University Press
  • Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1979) “Haykakankʻ (Armeniaca)”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, volume IV, Yerevan: University Press, pages 671–673
  • J̌ahukyan, Geworg (2010) “արուեստ”, in Vahan Sargsyan, editor, Hayeren stugabanakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Asoghik, page 94b
  • Petrosean, Matatʻeay (1879) “արուեստ”, in Nor Baṙagirkʻ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy