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Byz·an·tine

(bĭzən-tēn′, -tīn′, bĭ-zăntĭn)

adj.

a. Of or relating to the ancient city of Byzantium.

b. Of or relating to the Byzantine Empire.

2. Of or belonging to the style of architecture developed from the fifth century AD in the Byzantine Empire, characterized especially by a central dome resting on a cube formed by four round arches and their pendentives and by the extensive use of surface decoration, especially veined marble panels, low relief carving, and colored glass mosaics.

3. Of the painting and decorative style developed in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by formality of design, frontal stylized presentation of figures, rich use of color, especially gold, and generally religious subject matter.

a. Of the Eastern Orthodox Church or the rites performed in it.

b. Of an Eastern Catholic church that maintains the worship of the Eastern Orthodox Church or the rites performed in it.

5. often byzantine

a. Of, relating to, or characterized by intrigue; scheming or devious: "a fine hand for Byzantine deals and cozy arrangements" (New York).

b. Highly complicated; intricate and involved: a bill to simplify the byzantine tax structure.

A native or inhabitant of Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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