Amazigh

See also: amazigh

English

Etymology

From Proto-Berber *mazīɣ, an endogenous ethnonym attested in various Amazigh languages such Nafusi maziɣ (“Amazigh”), Ghadamsi maziɛ (“Amazigh”), Taznatit maziɣ (“Amazigh, lord, God”), Tamazight amaziɣ (“Amazigh, nobleman”), Tachelhit amaziɣ (“Amazigh”), Tamajeq amajeɣ (“Tuareg noble”), Tamahaq amaheɣ (“Tuareg noble”) and Tamasheq amaceɣ (“Tuareg noble”). It is first recorded in Libyc inscriptions as "MSK", and in Greco-Roman sources where it appears in various forms such as Μάσικες (Másikes) and Mazices.

It seems to be an ancient verbal adjective of the Proto-Berber verb *MZƔ "to be noble", attested in Tamazight mmuzeɣ (“to be prestigious”) and Tamajeq mujeɣ (“to be noble, brave”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æm.ə.ˈzɪɡ/

Noun

Amazigh (plural Amazighs or Imazighen)

1. A member of a particular ethnic group indigenous to northwest Africa; an Amazigh.

Proper noun

Amazigh

1. Any of several Amazigh languages spoken by the Amazigh people.