Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
koine
noun
/ˈkɔɪneɪ/
Definition
An ancient Greek dialect that emerged as a common language throughout the Hellenistic world.
Examples
- The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek.
- Koine Greek served as a lingua franca in the eastern Mediterranean.
- Scholars study Koine to understand ancient texts better.
Meaning
Koine refers to a form of Greek that was spoken and written during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, which helped unify diverse populations across different regions.
Synonyms
- common language
- lingua franca
- shared dialect
