zend-avestahttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zend-avesta_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZend-Avesta, n.
Revised 2018

Zend-Avestanoun

  1. 1630–
    The sacred writings of Zoroastrianism; the ancient text of the Avesta (Avesta n.), written in the Avestan language, together with the accompanying exegesis, commentary, or translation, written in Book Pahlavi (cf. Zend n. A.1b). Also: the Avesta by itself.
    Although still attested, the application of Zend-Avesta to the ancient Avestan texts independent of the accompanying exegisis is generally considered erroneous by specialists; cf. Zend n. A.1a.
    1. 1630
      A booke writ in the Persian Character, containing their Scripture, and in their owne language, called their Zvndavastaw.
      H. Lord, Display of Two Forraigne Sects Proeme
    2. 1695
      Learn the Zundavastaw by rote.
      W. Turner, Hist. All Relig. World ii. 633
    3. 1762
      Kabul, says the Zendavesta, was born on the rushy banks of the river Mawra.
      O. Goldsmith, Citizen of World vol. I. 53
    4. 1799
      The zendavesta is marked with the seal of philosophy; its precepts are pure.
      Critical Review vol. 26 501
    5. 1843
      The Pársí religion: as contained in the Zand-Avasta.
      J. Wilson (title)
    6. 1854
      When the Vaticans shall be filled with Vedas and Zendavestas and Bibles.
      H. D. Thoreau, Walden 113
    7. 1921
      The Zend-Avesta..is a Talmud rather than a Bible.
      Jewish Quarterly Review vol. 12 46
    8. 1962
      The Gathas contain the oldest parts of the Zend Avesta and concern the establishment of the ethics of the religion.
      American Journal of Sociology vol. 68 13/2
    9. 2012
      A Christian had to swear by the New Testament, a Jew by the Hebrew Testament and a Parsi by the open Zend-Avesta.
      Telegraph (India) (Nexis) 1 January

Zend-Avesta, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zend-Avesta, n. was last modified in September 2024.