Glagolitic etymology

Etymology

The name "Glagolitic" derives from the Old Church Slavonic word глаголъ (glagolъ), meaning "word" or "speech."

Meaning

Glagolitic is an extinct alphabet that was used in the 9th century to write Old Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the early Slavic churches.

Origin

The origin of the Glagolitic alphabet is uncertain. Two theories exist:

• Constantine-Cyrillic Theory: Originally attributed to the Byzantine monk Constantine (also known as Cyril) around 862-863. This theory suggests that Cyril created the Glagolitic alphabet to translate the Bible and other religious texts into Old Church Slavonic.
• Pre-Slavic Theory: Proposes an earlier origin of the alphabet, possibly derived from a North African or Middle Eastern script. This theory suggests that the early Slavs adopted an existing writing system and adapted it to their language.

Historical Development

• 9th Century: Glagolitic became the dominant alphabet for Old Church Slavonic.
• 11th-12th Centuries: The Cyrillic alphabet gradually replaced Glagolitic in most Slavic languages.
• 17th-19th Centuries: Glagolitic was still used in a few Catholic churches in Croatia and Slovenia.
• Present Day: Glagolitic is no longer used as a functional alphabet but remains a symbol of Slavic cultural heritage.

Characteristics

• Consists of 41 letters, including vowels, consonants, and several special characters.
• Written from left to right in horizontal lines.
• Angular and geometric in appearance.
• Used primarily for religious and liturgical purposes.

Glagolitic relate terms

• Cyrillic

  Etymology The term Cyrillic is derived from the name of Saint Cyril a 9th century Slav

• Glagolitic

  Etymology The name Glagolitic derives from the Old Church Slavonic word глаголъ

• church

  Etymology The English word church originates from the Old English word cirice which

• call

  Etymology Call derives from the Proto Germanic root kallan meaning to call proc

• clatter

  Etymology Old English claterian meaning to rattle clatter Imitative onomatopoeia

• Gallic

  Etymology The term Gallic is derived from the Latin Gallicus which in turn comes fro

• gallinaceous

  Etymology Late Latin gallināceus from Latin gallīna hen āceus pertaining to

• gallium

  Etymology From Latinized New Latin gallium named after Gallia Gaul modern France w

• glasnost

  Etymology Russian гласность from глас voice Meaning Openness t

• Glagolitic

  Etymology The name Glagolitic derives from the Old Church Slavonic word глаголъ

• cotton

  Etymology The word cotton originates from the Old French word coton which is ultima

• belong

  Etymology Old English belangen to concern belong to Proto Germanic bilanganą to

• brunette

  Etymology The word brunette derives from the Old French word brunet which in turn c

• innovation

  Etymology The word innovation originates from the Latin word innovatus which means

• fate

  Etymology The word fate comes from the Latin word fatum which means prophecy or d

• newel

  Etymology Of uncertain origin It was originally spelled newell and the el has bee

• attrition

  Etymology The word attrition is derived from the Latin word attritio which means ru

• hector

  Etymology The name Hector has ancient Greek origins It is derived from the Greek word

• review

  Etymology The word review derives from the Old French word reveue which in turn come

• phenomenon

  Etymology Greek phainomenon Phainein to appear Meaning A natural occurrence