Armenian edit

Etymology edit

From Old Armenian հրահան (hrahan).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

հրահան (hrahan)

  1. firestriker (piece of steel used for striking a spark)
    Synonym: (dialectal) չախմախ (čʻaxmax)

Declension edit

Old Armenian edit

Etymology edit

From հուր (hur) +‎ -ա- (-a-) +‎ հանեմ (hanem). Calque of Ancient Greek πυροβόλος (purobólos).

Adjective edit

հրահան (hrahan)

  1. fire-striking
    • 5th century, with changes and additions in later centuries, Baroyaxōs [Physiologus] Earliest recension (TR).4.1–2:[1]
      Զի են եւ քարինք ինչ հրահանաց արու եւ էգ․ մինչեւ բացեայ ի միմեանց են, չհարկանի ուրէք հրդեհ. ապա թէ մաւտիցի արուն յէգն, հուր բորբոքի եւ այրէ զվայրս բազումս։
      Zi en ew kʻarinkʻ inčʻ hrahanacʻ aru ew ēg; minčʻew bacʻeay i mimeancʻ en, čʻharkani urēkʻ hrdeh. apa tʻē mawticʻi arun yēgn, hur borbokʻi ew ayrē zvayrs bazums.
      • Translation by Gohar Muradyan
        There exist certain fire-striking stones, male and female. As long as they are separate from one another, nowhere fire is lit, but if the male approaches the female, it sets fire and burns many places.

Usage notes edit

In the Physiologus, translates Ancient Greek πυροβόλος (purobólos).

Declension edit

Descendants edit

  • Armenian: հրահան (hrahan)

References edit

  1. ^ Muradyan, Gohar (2005) Physiologus: The Greek and Armenian Versions with a Study of Translation Technique (Hebrew University Armenian Studies; 6)‎[1], Leuven – Paris – Dudley: Peeters, pages 61, 93, 143

Further reading edit

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