Cananaeann.adj.

Etymology: Partly (in sense A. 1) < post-classical Latin Cananaeus (also Chananaeus), epithet of Simon the Zealot (Vulgate; < Hellenistic Greek Καναναῖος (New Testament) probably < Aramaic qan'ānā (see etymological note at Canaanite n.¹ and adj.) + ancient Greek -αῖος , suffix forming adjectives) + -an suffix; and partly (in sense A. 2 and use as adjective) < post-classical Latin Chananaeus (also Cananaeus) (noun) native or inhabitant of Canaan (Vulgate), (adjective) of or belonging to Canaan (Vetus Latina, Vulgate; < Hellenistic Greek Χαναναῖος (noun) native or inhabitant of Canaan (Septuagint), (adjective) of or belonging to Canaan (New Testament) < Χανάαν Canaan (see Canaan n.) + -αῖος , suffix forming adjectives) + -an suffix. Compare earlier Cananee n.Although two strands of etymological transmission can be distinguished, there is formal overlap between the English forms for both strands (although β. forms are very rare in sense A. 1, and rare in all senses after the 19th cent.), reflecting early confusion in Latin (and thence also in French). Compare Old French chananen , Middle French chananeien , Middle French, French †cananeen , French cananéen native or inhabitant of ancient Canaan (13th cent.; the later spelling with c- instead of ch- reflects confusion with the surname of the apostle Simon). Sense A. 1b probably reflects an extended use of sense A. 1a (compare discussion at Canaanite n.¹ and adj.). With sense B. 2 compare French couteau cananéen (1935); R. Neuville is generally credited with identifying and classifying this type of blade (in Jrnl. Palestine Oriental Soc. 10 (1930) 193–221), but appears to use French cananéen only of the archaeological period. Compare also Old English Chananēisc , Cananēisc (adjective) of or relating to ancient Canaan, (noun) native or inhabitant of ancient Canaan ( < post-classical Latin Chananaeus , Cananaeus (see above) + -ish suffix¹), and (in an isolated attestation) Cananisc, used as an epithet of the apostle Simon (apparently similarly derived; translating post-classical Latin Chananaeus in the same sense).