Geez
(ˈgiːɛz, giːz)
Also Geëz, Gheez, Giez, Giz.
[Ethiopic.]
The ancient language of Ethiopia, still used as a liturgical language; = Ethiopic a. 2. Also attrib.
| 1790 J. Bruce Trav. I. 424 Speaking of the Ethiopic at present, I mean only the Geez language, the language of the Shepherds, and of the books. Ibid. 425 The Geez is exceedingly harsh and unharmonious. 1839 Penny Cycl. X. 52/2 The antient Ethiopian, or Geez. 1867 [see Ethiopic 2]. 1883 R. N. Cust Sk. Mod. Lang. Afr. I. 74 The Written Characters of the old Ethiopic, or G{iacu}z. 1908 Daily Chron. 6 Mar. 3/5 Their Bible, which is in Gheez,..contains all the books of our own Old Testament, except the Book of Esther. 1920 Blackw. Mag. May 676/1 A book in the Geez language. 1957 Listener 14 Nov. 774/1 Their recital of Geez texts and the copying of old manuscripts on the lives of Ethiopian saints. Ibid., The priests are satisfied if the ordinary man says his prayers in Geez which he does not understand. |