Babylon

Etymology

From Latin Babylōn, from Ancient Greek Βαβυλών (Babulṓn), from Akkadian 𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠 (bābili [KA₂.DINGIR.RA^KI], literally “Gate of God”), translation of Sumerian 𒆍𒀭𒊏 (KA.DINGIR); the name of the ancient Chaldean capital and Biblical city of the Apocalypse.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈbæbɪ.lɒn/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈbæbɪ.lɑn/

Proper noun

Babylon

1. A city in ancient Mesopotamia built on the banks of the Euphrates, which was the capital of Babylonia.
2. Any city of great wealth, luxury and vice.
   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest‎:

     Mother […] considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres.

3. (Rastafarian) Western civilization, seen as corrupt and materialistic, and contrasted with Zion.
4. (Jamaica, MLE) The police.
   • 2017 September 24, Jones, Emma, “Crime, sexism and a near death experience - former police officer lifts the lid on the hidden secrets of the force”, in Daily Mirror‎:

     When I was the first officer on the scene at a nightclub brawl, I was picked up by the throat and strangled by a huge Rastafarian who was trying to kill me. I was losing consciousness when Marlon told him to let me go.¶ I remember him saying, ‘She’s alright for Babylon. Put her down.’ He dropped me and I ran to the station with massive bruises around my neck.

Alternative forms

• Babylón

Proper noun

Babylon m

1. Babylon

Further reading

• Babylon in Příruční slovník jazyka českého, 1935–1957

Proper noun

Babylon

1. Babylon

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Βαβυλών (Babulṓn), from Akkadian 𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠 (Bābili [KA₂.DINGIR.RA^KI], literally “Gate of God”), translation of Sumerian 𒆍𒀭𒊏 (KA.DINGIR); the name of the ancient Chaldean capital and Biblical city of the Apocalypse.

Proper noun

Babylōn f (genitive Babylōnis); third declension

1. (geography) Babylon

References

Babylon in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press

• Babylon in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• Babylon in The Perseus Project (1999) Perseus Encyclopedia‎
• Babylon in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• Babylon in William Smith, editor (1854, 1857) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, volume 1 & 2, London: Walton and Maberly

Proper noun

Babylon

1. Babylon