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davepamn davepamn
 

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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  October 20, 2009 12:49 PM

What does the word "Euphrates" mean?

What is the oldest known definition of the word, "Euphrates"?
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opher opher
 
 October 20, 2009 04:23 PM
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Euphrates#encyclopedia has an extensive discussion of the etymology of Euphrates, starting with: "Modern names for the Euphrates may have been derived by popular etymology from the Sumerian language names, respectively Buranun and Pu-rat-tu. The former appears in an inscription from the 22nd century BC..."

The word apparently has two portions, the first of which is "Eu" (or Su in some languages) meaning "good," and "per" meaning "pass over" or ford. This could be related to this river having a relatively slow flow, making it easier to ford than e.g. the nearby fast-flowing Tigris.

Alternate etymological sources include "fruitful" or "to carry" which could relate to the nearby region's ability to support agriculture, or respectively, the ability to use the slow-moving river to carry barges with goods.
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davepamn davepamn
 
October 20, 2009 07:07 PM
Does word mean of Euphrates suggest that the slow moving river was also a large river?

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opher opher
 
October 20, 2009 07:15 PM
Not directly, however the etymological sources above imply the river was useful for river-based commerce, which is more likely for a river with a fairly long course. Also, for a given flow rate, wider rivers tend to move more slowly, making them easier to ford, which matches up with another etymological source.

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silvos1988 silvos1988
 
October 20, 2009 01:11 PM
A river located in Southwest Asia, its mythology dates back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2. In the Bible, however, it is referred to as "The River" and was the fourth river to form from the water flowing out of the Garden. Later on in the Bible, it would come to be known as one of the distinguished boundaries of the lands that were promised by God to Abraham's family. There are alos references to the river in the book of revelation, as well makes an appearance to the Islamic religion; both referring to the drying up of the Euphrates causing crisis and imminent doom.

Present-day, this river flows southwest from Turkey and converges with the Tigris before uniting with the Persian Gulf.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates


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davepamn davepamn
 
October 20, 2009 01:55 PM
Does the word "Euphrates" have a Sumerian root?

Can you find the linquistic root of the word, "Euphrates"?

For example, how would you describe the Mississippi River verses the Amazon River. Both rivers are large, but on different continents. Would you say, "North Large River" for the Mississippi and "South Large River" for the Amazon?

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