Etymology

Perhaps from երինջ ‎(erinǰ, “heifer, young cow”) +‎ -ակ ‎(-ak). Martirosyan explains the semantic motivation by the possibility that երնջակ ‎(ernǰak) may refer to the Mother Goddess Anahit–Astłik, which was associated with heifers, probably also, like the Greek Athena, with weaving.

Alternatively, a Mediterranean substrate word related to Ancient Greek ἀράχνη ‎(arákhnē) and Latin arāneus.

An Iranian origin is also possible; compare Middle Persian ʾylhtn' ‎(ēraxtan), ʾylnc- ‎(ēranǰ-, “to inflict damage, or loss; to blame, condemn, damn”). The spider may be seen as ‘harmful’ or ‘heathen, demonic, abominable’.

Pronunciation

• (Eastern Armenian) IPA^(key): [jɛɾənˈd͡ʒɑk]
• Hyphenation: ե‧րըն‧ջակ