c. 1600, from Latin syriacus, from Greek syriakos "Syrian, of or pertaining to Syria" (see Syria). As the name of an ancient Semitic language, from 1610s.
Entries linking to syriac
Syria
from Latin Syria, from Greek Syria, from Syrioi "the Syrians," a name given originally to the Assyrians (Herodotus vii.63), a shortened form of Assyrioi "Assyrians" (see Assyria). Related: Syrian.