zig·gu·rat 
(zĭgə-răt′)
(zĭgə-răt′)n.
A temple tower of ancient Mesopotamia, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories.
[Akkadian ziqqurratu, temple tower, from zaqāru, to build high; see zqr in the Appendix of Semitic roots.]
zigguratthe Ziggurat of Ur in a modern rendering