Definition of: Hittite

(hit′īt) noun
1. One of an ancient people who established a powerful empire in Asia Minor and Northern Syria about 2000–1200 B.C.
2. The language of the Hittites, known from cuneiform inscriptions discovered in Asia Minor which date from about 1400 B.C. (Cuneiform Hittite). Hieroglyphic inscriptions from about 1000 B.C., found in Asia Minor and Northern Syria, have also been attributed to the Hittites (Hieroglyphic Hittite). Although Hittite has been established as having a definite connection with Indo-European, it exhibits characteristics which distinguish it so markedly from the rest of the Indo-European family that the exact nature of the relationship remains uncertain. See INDO-HITTITE.
—adjective Of or relating to the Hittites or their language. [<Hebrew hittīm]