cilician: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low. Archaic/historical/academic.Academic, historical, or literary.
Quick answer
What does “cilician” mean?
relating to the ancient region of Cilicia in southeast Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
relating to the ancient region of Cilicia in southeast Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
Denoting an inhabitant or cultural product (e.g., language, artifact) from ancient Cilicia. In specialised contexts, can refer to a specific type of pirate from that region or a style of early Christian hermit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; it is a historical term used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
None beyond its specific historical reference.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language for both BrE and AmE, confined to scholarly works.
Grammar
How to Use “cilician” in a Sentence
[be] + Cilician[of] Cilician + [origin/descent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cilician” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Cilician coastline was notorious for piracy.
- He studied Cilician artefacts in the museum.
American English
- The Cilician Gates were a major mountain pass.
- Cilician architecture shows Hellenistic influence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, archaeology, and theology (e.g., 'Cilician monasticism').
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific to historical/geographical studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cilician”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cilician”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cilician”
- Misspelling as 'Cilician' (one 'l') or 'Cilicican'.
- Mispronouncing with a hard 'c' (/k/).
- Confusing it with 'Sicilian'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in historical, archaeological, or theological contexts.
'Cilician' refers to ancient Cilicia in Asia Minor (Turkey). 'Sicilian' refers to the island of Sicily, Italy. They are different places and should not be confused.
Yes, though less common. It can mean 'a native or inhabitant of ancient Cilicia' (e.g., 'The Cilicians traded with the Greeks').
You would likely encounter it only when reading specialised texts on ancient history, early Christianity, or classical archaeology. It is not necessary for general English communication.
relating to the ancient region of Cilicia in southeast Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
Cilician is usually academic, historical, or literary. in register.
Cilician: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈlɪsɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪˈlɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CILIcian: Think 'SILLY SEA an' – the silly Cilician pirates sailed the sea near ancient Anatolia.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Historical proper adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which modern country was ancient Cilicia primarily located?