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Topic:Kartvelian parallels
Showing 1 of 1 matching publications (200 total) · catalogue updated 2026-07-22
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Étymologie et usages du feu (krak) en arménien classique (Etymology and Uses of 'Fire' (krak) in Classical Armenian)

Arzoumanov, Jean, 2024
Revue des Études Arméniennes, Vol. 42 (2023-2024), pp. 77–98 (Peeters); DOI 10.2143/REA.42.0.3293638

Reassesses how the two Classical Armenian words for 'fire', krak and howr, differ in usage. A close reading of Eghishe's History of Vardan shows krak in distinct contexts, especially connected with Zoroastrian fire worship, a distinction visible in the Buzandaran as well. Reviewing krak and its cognates in the Armenian Bible reveals semantic overlap, including an instance where krak means 'embers'. On that basis Arzoumanov proposes a Middle Iranian etymon for Armenian krak and its Georgian counterpart, reconstructed via a Middle Persian word for 'oven', with a semantic shift from 'oven' to 'fire' plausibly in a Zoroastrian ritual setting where fire altars resembled ovens.

Armenian etymologyClassical Armenian lexiconIranian-Armenian contactKartvelian parallelsZoroastrianism in Armenia
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