Minoan

Origin

Sir Arthur Evans, not knowing the Minoan term for 'Minoan' at the time, coined this name in the early 20th century, from Ancient Greek Μίνως, the mythical king of Crete. The actual name is probably reflected in Egyptian *Káftayu (spelled out in Egyptian only as kftiw) and Biblical Kaphtor.

Full definition of Minoan

Adjective

1. Of or relating to the civilization that developed in Crete from the neolithic period to the Bronze Age (about 3000-1050 BC).
2. Of or relating to the writing systems (Linear A and Linear B) used in Crete and later in mainland Greece.
3. Of or relating to the ancient language of the Minoans which died out by the beginning of the 1st millenium BC.

Noun

1. A Cretan who belonged to the Minoan civilization.

Proper noun

1. the language written in Linear A

Synonyms

• Eteocretan

Anagrams

• amnion