Bactrian

noun

Bac·​tri·​an ˈbak-trē-ən 

plural -s

1

: one of an ancient Iranian people located between the Hindu Kush and the Oxus

2

: the language of the Bactrians

Word History

Etymology

Latin Bactrianus, adjective & n, from Greek Baktrianos, from Baktria Bactria, ancient country of southwestern Asia + Greek -anos -an

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Geographical Definition

Bactria

geographical name

Bac·​tria ˈbak-trē-ə 

ancient country of southwestern Asia between the Hindu Kush and the Oxus River; capital Bactra see balkh

Bactrian

ˈbak-trē-ən 

adjective or noun