chaldean: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. The Chaldeans were a specific Semitic tribe that settled in southern Babylonia. They later came to rule Babylon, establishing the Neo-Babylonian Empire (Chaldean Dynasty). So, all Chaldeans were Babylonian in a geographical sense during that empire, but not all Babylonians were ethnically Chaldean.

The ancient Chaldean language was a form of Aramaic. Its direct descendant, Sureth (Modern Chaldean Aramaic), is spoken today by some Chaldean Catholics and other Assyrian communities as a living vernacular.

It refers to the sophisticated system of astrology/astronomy developed by the priestly class of ancient Chaldea (Babylonia). They are credited with creating the zodiac, making detailed planetary observations, and developing early horoscopic astrology, which greatly influenced Greek and later Western traditions.

They are Eastern Rite Catholics who follow the Chaldean rite, originating from the historical Church of the East in Mesopotamia. They are in full communion with the Pope in Rome. Their liturgical language is Syriac (a form of Aramaic), and their adherents are primarily from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and the diaspora.

A member of an ancient Semitic people who lived in Chaldea (southern Babylonia) and later came to rule the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Chaldean is usually formal, academic, historical, religious in register.

Chaldean: in British English it is pronounced /kælˈdiːən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kælˈdiːən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.