Etymology:
< Greek κοινή, feminine singular of κοινός common, ordinary.
a. Originally the common literary dialect of the Greeks (ἡ κοινὴ διάλεκτος)
from the close of classical Attic to the Byzantine era. Now extended to
include any language or dialect in regular use over a wide area in
which different languages or dialects are, or were, in use locally.b. A set of cultural or other attributes common to various groups. Also attrib.
"Clearly, we are in no imminent danger of Ithkuil becoming established as the koine of the realm—its purpose lies more in the domain of speculation than in that of implementation."
- John McDowell, "Unnatural language", 28 January 2013 The New Yorker
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