sb. (a.) [f. L. Syrophœnix, -ic-, fem. -phœnissa, a. Gr. Συροφοίνιξ, -ικ-, fem. -φοίνισσα: see SYRO- and PHŒNICIAN.
OE. versions of Mark vii. 26. have the adj. sirofenisc:—
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., Mark vii. 26. Erat autem mulier gentilis syrophoenissa genere, wæs wutudlice wif ðæt hæðen ðæs sirophinisca cynnes; Lindisf. ðes cynnes is nemned syro-phoenisa; Ags. Gosp. sirofenisces cynnes Hatton sy(e)rofeniscas cynnes.]
A native or inhabitant of Syrophœnicia, a Roman province of Western Asia, including Phœnicia and the territories of Damascus and Palmyra. Also adj. belonging to this country or its inhabitants.
1560. Bible (Genev.), Mark vi. 26. The woman was a Greke, a Syrophenissian [1582 N.T. (Rhem.) Syrophænician] by nacion.
1840. C. O. Müller’s Hist. Lit. Greece, ii. § 4. 15. Aphrodite, whose worship was evidently for the most part propagated over Greece from Cyprus and Cythera by the influence of Syrophœnician tribes.
1860. Smith’s Dict. Bible, I. 856/2. This Syrophoenician worship of the sun and moon.
