Syriac \Syr"i*ac\, a. [L. Syriacus, from Syria: cf. F.
   syriaque.]
   Of or pertaining to Syria, or its language; as, the Syriac
   version of the Pentateuch. -- n. The language of Syria;
   especially, the ancient language of that country.
   [1913 Webster]

Syriac
   (2 Kings 18:26; Ezra 4:7; Dan. 2:4), more correctly rendered
   "Aramaic," including both the Syriac and the Chaldee languages.
   In the New Testament there are several Syriac words, such as
   "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46 gives
   the Heb. form, "Eli, Eli"), "Raca" (Matt. 5:22), "Ephphatha"
   (Mark 7:34), "Maran-atha" (1 Cor. 16:22).
   
     A Syriac version of the Old Testament, containing all the
   canonical books, along with some apocryphal books (called the
   Peshitto, i.e., simple translation, and not a paraphrase), was
   made early in the second century, and is therefore the first
   Christian translation of the Old Testament. It was made directly
   from the original, and not from the LXX. Version. The New
   Testament was also translated from Greek into Syriac about the
   same time. It is noticeable that this version does not contain
   the Second and Third Epistles of John, 2 Peter, Jude, and the
   Apocalypse. These were, however, translated subsequently and
   placed in the version. (See VERSION.)