cilicia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Historical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “cilicia” mean?
An ancient historical region located on the southern coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), known in antiquity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient historical region located on the southern coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), known in antiquity.
Used to refer to this region in historical, geographical, and biblical contexts; occasionally used metonymically for types of coarse cloth or goats' hair associated with the region.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Connotes classical antiquity, the Roman Empire, early Christianity (as St. Paul was from Tarsus in Cilicia), or the Crusader states (the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing almost exclusively in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cilicia” in a Sentence
[Preposition +] Cilicia + [prepositional phrase]Cilicia + [verb in past tense]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cilicia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Cilician gates were a crucial mountain pass.
- Cilician pirates plagued Roman trade.
American English
- The Cilician Gates were a vital mountain pass.
- Cilician pirates menaced Roman shipping.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, theological, and classical studies texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in crossword puzzles or high-level trivia.
Technical
Used as a proper geographical/historical identifier in cartography and historical research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cilicia”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cilicia”
- Misspelling as 'Cilicia' (with double 'l'), 'Cilica', or 'Cilician' (which is the adjective). Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Cilicia is not a modern country. It is a historical region located in what is now southern Turkey.
Cilicia is mentioned in the New Testament. The apostle Paul was from Tarsus, a major city in Cilicia (Acts 21:39, 22:3).
'Cilician' is the adjective form relating to Cilicia (e.g., Cilician pirates, Cilician gates). It can also refer to a person from Cilicia.
Cilicia was significant as a strategic crossroads between Anatolia, the Levant, and Mesopotamia, a center for piracy in the Roman era, a Roman province, and later the seat of the medieval Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.
An ancient historical region located on the southern coast of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), known in antiquity.
Cilicia is usually academic/historical/formal in register.
Cilicia: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈlɪsɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈlɪʃə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SILLY lion (Cili-) sitting on a SHORE (-cia) in ancient Turkey. "The SILLY lion explored the shores of Cilicia."
Conceptual Metaphor
Cilicia as a CROSSROADS (of cultures, armies, and trade routes). Cilicia as a SEAT (of a kingdom).
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the word 'Cilicia' most accurately used?