Zend-Avesta
(zɛndəˈvɛstə)
Also 7–8 Zundavastaw.
[Alteration (cf. Pers. zand(a)wastā, zandastā) of Avestá-va-Zend (Pehlevi Avistāk va Zend), i.e. the Avesta with the interpretation. The word Zend was taken as an attrib. element denoting the language of the books, and was hence used independently as its name: see Zend.]
The sacred writings of the Parsees, usually attributed to Zoroaster.
| 1630 Lord Relig. Persees Proeme, A booke writ in the Persian Character, containing their Scripture, and in their owne language, called their Zvndavastaw. 1760–2 Goldsm. Cit. W. xv, ‘Kabul’, says the Zendavesta, ‘was born on the rushy banks of the river Mawra.’ 1854 [see Vatican 1 b]. 1878 N. Amer. Rev. CXXVII. 323 The Zendavesta of the Persians. |
Hence Zend-Aveˈstaic a.
| 1816 G. S. Faber Orig. Pagan Idol. I. p. xxxii, The materials of the Zend-Avestaic history seem to be genuine. |