ziggurat
[ zig-oo-rat ]
/ ˈzɪg ʊˌræt /
noun
(among the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians) a temple of Sumerian origin in the form of a pyramidal tower, consisting of a number of stories and having about the outside a broad ascent winding round the structure, presenting the appearance of a series of terraces.
Also
zik·ku·rat,
zik·u·rat
[zik-oo-rat] /ˈzɪk ʊˌræt/.
Origin of ziggurat
First recorded in 1875–80,
ziggurat is from the Akkadian word
ziqquratu
Words nearby ziggurat
ziegler's operation,
zielona góra,
zif,
ziff,
zig,
ziggurat,
zigong,
ziguinchor,
zigzag,
zigzag rule,
zigzagger
Example sentences from the Web for ziggurat
British Dictionary definitions for ziggurat
ziggurat
zikkurat or zikurat (ˈzɪkʊˌræt)
/ (ˈzɪɡʊˌræt) /
noun
a type of rectangular temple tower or tiered mound erected by the Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians in Mesopotamia. The tower of Babel is thought to be one of these
Word Origin for ziggurat
C19: from Assyrian
ziqqurati summit, height