# Parthian

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɑːθɪən/ · frequency rank #72,630

## Definitions
1. Relating to Parthia or Parthians.
2. Delivered as if in retreat.

## Etymology
From Parthia + -an; in the sense of "delivered as if in retreat", an allusion to the Parthian battle tactic of firing arrows backwards from horseback while apparently in retreat.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/parthian