Byzantine

Pronunciation: /ˈbɪzənˌtin/

Definitions of Byzantine

adjective relating to the Byzantine Empire, characterized by intricate and complex details or procedures

Example Sentences

A1 The Byzantine architecture is very old.

A2 The Byzantine Empire was known for its intricate mosaics.

B1 The Byzantine art style influenced many other cultures.

B2 The Byzantine bureaucracy was highly organized and complex.

C1 Byzantine politics were often characterized by intrigue and power struggles.

C2 The Byzantine era left a lasting impact on the development of Christianity.

Examples of Byzantine in a Sentence

formal The Byzantine Empire was known for its intricate art and architecture.

informal I just learned about the Byzantine Empire in history class.

slang That history lesson was so Byzantine, I couldn't follow it at all.

figurative Navigating the Byzantine politics of the office can be quite challenging.

Grammatical Forms of Byzantine

• past tense: Byzantined
• plural: Byzantines
• comparative: more Byzantine
• superlative: most Byzantine
• present tense: Byzantines
• future tense: will Byzantine
• perfect tense: have Byzantined
• continuous tense: is Byzantining
• singular: Byzantine
• positive degree: Byzantine
• infinitive: to Byzantine
• gerund: Byzantining
• participle: Byzantined

Origin and Evolution of Byzantine

First Known Use: 1650 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'Byzantine' originates from the Byzantine Empire, which was the Eastern Roman Empire centered around the capital of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe the art, architecture, and culture of the Byzantine Empire, the term 'Byzantine' later evolved to also connote complex bureaucracy, devious political maneuvers, and intricate systems of government.