𐎶𐎦𐎢𐏁

Old Persian

Etymology

Generally assumed to be a loanword from Median (only found as a title? of persons that are also identified as Mede). Cognate of Avestan  (moġu-) but probably not of Av. maga- (cognate with Skt. magha-, "gift"). Crucially, Middle Persian moabad does not descend from Old Persian/Median magu-.

Proper noun

𐎶𐎦𐎢𐏁 (Maguš)

1. unknown meaning; hapax legomena known only from the Behistun inscription where it is used as a title (?) of persons. Sometimes said to be the term for a Zoroastrian priest, or for a magician, or for a sub-tribe of the Medes; these interpretations are formed by Greek Μάγος and μάγος.

Descendants

Taking Old Persian as representative for all Old Iranian:

• Ancient Greek: Μάγος, μάγος
  • Latin: magus
    • English: mage, magic, magician
• Arabic: مجوس (majūs)
  • Persian: مجوس (majūs)
• Middle Persian: mwg-, mgw- (moğ-)
  • Persian: مغ (moğ)
  • Old Armenian: մոգ (mog)
    • Armenian: մոգ (mog)
    • Georgian: მოგჳ (mogw)