العراق

Etymology
Medieval Arabic geographic understanding of this toponym included the areas in the south and center of modern Iraq. This may be understood as the definite form of, contradistinguished from , respectively, in  , but it is tempting to connect it with or , like , with diminutive suffix from , referring to historic rule from Iraq’s plateau-situated neighbor, Persia. The former Pahlavi form is more closely reflected in a 🇨🇬 incantation bowl; together with the neighboring region, this marks it as, being the oldest extant witness of the country name. The language continuum may have had a pharyngealized byform of the other vocalization, as also seen in  and.

Usage notes

 * The definite article is indispensable.
 * Unlike the majority of country names, is usually a masculine noun.

Etymology
From.

Etymology
From.

Usage notes

 * This is one of the country names which requires the definite article.

Etymology
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