Tocharian

• Toch. (abbreviation)

From Latin Tochari + -ian, from Ancient Greek Τόχαροι (Tókharoi, “Kucheans”) (see Τόχαρος (Tókharos)), probably from an Indo-Iranian source (Old Persian [script needed] (tuxāri-), Khotanese [script needed] (ttahvāra)); compare Sanskrit तुखार (tukhāra).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /təuˈkɛəɹi.ən/, /təuˈkɑːɹi.ən/
• (General American, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA^(key): /toʊˈkɛɹi.ən/, /toʊˈkɑɹi.ən/
• Rhymes: -ɛəɹiən

Tocharian

1. (linguistics) An extinct branch of the Indo-European language family, consisting of two languages, Tocharian A and Tocharian B, written in an abugida derived from Brahmi.

Tocharian (plural Tocharians)

2. (original sense) Any member of the Tochari, a people who inhabited Bactria.
   • 1634, C. Plinius Secundus, The Historie of the World, volume 1, page 124:

     Beyond the Attaci or Attacores, the Thyrians and Tocharians do inhabit; yea, and the Caſirians, who now by this time belong to the Indians, & are a part of them.

   • 1871, H. Kern, “The Bṛhat-Saṅhitâ; or, Complete System of Natural Astrology of Varâha-mihira.”, in Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, page 232:

     The Moon presides over: […] Tocharians, […]

4. [from 20th c.] Any member of a people who inhabited the Tarim Basin and spoke the so-called Tocharian languages.

   Hyponyms: Agnean, Kuchean

The application of the name Tocharian to the Tarim Basin peoples is modern and is not securely connected to the classical Tochari.

Tocharian (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to Tocharian or the Tocharians.

• archontia