Main Entry: As·syr·ia

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsir-ē-ə\

Variant(s): or biblical As·sur \ä-ˈsu̇r, ˈä-ˌ\ or Ashur \ˈä-ˌshu̇r\

Function: geographical name

ancient empire W Asia extending along middle Tigris & over foothills to the E; early ∗ Calah, later ∗ Nineveh