Byzantine

Meanings

1. Of or pertaining to Byzantium.
2. Belonging to the civilization of the Eastern Roman Empire between 331, when its capital was moved to Constantinople, and 1453, when that capital was conquered by the Turks and ultimately renamed Istanbul.
3. Of a style of architecture prevalent in the Eastern Empire down to 1453, marked by the round arch springing from columns or piers, the dome supported upon pendentives, capitals elaborately sculptured, mosaic or other encrustations, etc.
4. Overly complex or intricate, especially of bureaucracy.
5. Of a devious, usually stealthy, manner or practice.
6. Of or relating to the Byzantine Rite or any of the many Eastern Orthodox churches and Greek Catholic churches that use this rite for their liturgical celebrations.

1. A native of Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul) or of the Byzantine empire
2. Alternative form of byzantine (coin)
3. A dark, metallic shade of violet.

1. Alternative letter-case form of Byzantine (figurative senses only).

1. A byzant (coin).

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰuǵ-der. Thracian *būzasder. Ancient Greek Βῡ́ζᾱς (Bū́zās) Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Ancient Greek -ῐος (-ĭos)? Ancient Greek -ῐον (-ĭon) Ancient Greek Βῡζᾰ́ντῐον (Būzắntĭon)bor. Late Latin Bȳzantium Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Italic *-īnos Late Latin -īnus Late Latin bȳzantīnusder. English Byzantine From Late Latin byzantinus, from Byzantium, from Ancient Greek Βυζάντιον (Buzántion). The figurative senses evoke the reputation for palace intrigue of the Byzantine imperial court.