AMHARIC. The most important language spoken in Abys sinia (q.v.) is Amharic, which belongs to the Semitic family (q.v.), but has been greatly modified by Hamitic influences. The order of the words is that usual in Hamitic speech, the verb corn ing last and subordinate words preceding those with which they are associated. Laryngeal consonants are absent and the system of writing, which dates from the 2nd century A.D., is remarkable for the great number of forms required, since each of the 26 consonants has seven vowel forms, while a special sign is added to mark the softened pronunciation in vogue. Very considerable phonetic modifications have taken place, resulting often in a total change of form. As regards syntax, the governed noun is placed after the genitive, while the attributive relative clause is placed before its substantive. Few traces remain of the feminine forms or of the ancient plural of the noun. Not more than half of the vocabulary—after allowing for phonetic modifications—can be found to tally with that of other Semitic languages. (See C. Arm bruster, Initia Amharica.)