List of English words of Persian origin
Encyclopedia
As Indo-European languages
, English
and Persian
have many words of common Proto-Indo-European
origin, and many of these [cognate] words often have similar forms. Examples of these include: English (Mother) and Persian (Mādar), English (Father) and Persian (Padar), English (Daughter) and Persian (Dokhtar), English (jungle) and Persian (jangal), English (Brother) and Persian (Barādar) and English (Name) and Persian (Nām). However, this article will be concerned with loanwords, that is, words in English that derive from Persian, either directly, or more often, via one or more intermediary languages.
Many words of Persian
origin have made their way into the English language
through different, often circuitous, routes. Some of them, such as "paradise
", date to cultural contacts between the Persians and the ancient Greeks or Romans and through Greek and Latin found their way to English. Persian as the second important language of Islam has influenced many languages in the Muslim world, and its words have found their way beyond the Muslim world.
Persia remained largely impenetrable to English-speaking travelers well into the 19th century. Persia was protected from Europe by overland trade routes that passed through territory inhospitable to foreigners, while trade at Persian ports in the Persian Gulf
was in the hands of locals. In contrast, intrepid English traders operated in Mediterranean seaports of the Levant
from the 1570s, and some vocabulary describing features of Ottoman culture found their way into the English language. Thus many words in the list below, though originally from Persian
, arrived in English through the intermediary of Ottoman Turkish language
.
Many Persio-Arabic words also came into English through Urdu
during British colonialism.
Persian was the language of the Mughal court before British rule in India even though locals in North India spoke Hindusthani.
Other words of Persian origin found their way into European languages— and eventually reached English at second-hand— through the Moorish-Christian cultural interface in the Iberian peninsula
during the Middle Ages
thus being transmitted through Arabic.
Babul
: Etymology: Persian بابل bābul; akin to Sanskrit बब्बुल, बब्ब्ल babbula, babbla (Acacia arabica). an acacia tree (Acacia arabica) that is probably native to the Sudan but is widespread in northern Africa and across Asia through much of India
Badian
: Etymology: French badiane, from Persian بادیان bādiyān 'anise.'
Baghdad
: بغداد, From Middle Persian Bhagadad (< baga 'god' and dāta 'given, gave') meaning "Gifted by God"
Bakhtiar
: Etymology: Persian بختیار Bakhtyār, from bakhtyār fortunate, rich, from bakht fortune, prosperity + dār (> yār; cf. shayriyār 'sovereign, king' < xshatra 'domenion, country' > shahr 'country, city' + dār 'having power over s.th.) 'haver/having,' i.e., 'he/she who possesses fortune'. a member of the Bakhtiari people.
Baksheesh
: from Persian bakhshesh (بخشش), lit. "gift," from verb بخشیدن bakhshidan "to give, to give in charity, to give mercifully; (hence, also) to forgive". a gift of money
Balaghat
: Etymology: probably from Hindi बालाघाट, from Persian بالا bālā 'above' + Hindi gaht 'pass.' tableland above mountain passes.
Balkans (region)
: Etymology: from Persian بالا bālā 'big, high, upper, above' + خانه khāna 'house, upperhouse, room'.
Balcony
: Etymology: بالاخانه bālākhāna from Persian بالا bālā 'above' + خانه khāna 'house, upperhouse, room'
Baldachin
: "Baldachin" (called Baldac in older times) was originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived. Baghdad is a Persian word meaning 'Gifted by God'.
Baluchi
: Etymology: Persian بلوچ، بلوچی Baluch, Baluchi. an Indo-Iranian people blended from a mixture of the Veddoid type isolated in the Hadhramaut and of the Irano-Afghan type and located in Baluchistan in the southwestern part of Pakistan.
Baluchistan
: Etymology: from Baluchistan, country of western Asia, from Persian بلوچستان Baluchistaan. a rug in somber colors (as mulberry and deep blue) woven by nomad tribes in Baluchistan and especially Seistan.
Ban (title)
: "governor of Croatia," from Serbo-Croat. ban "lord, master, ruler," from Persian baan (بان) "prince, lord, chief, governor"
Barbican
: possibly from Persian (خانه khāneh "house").
Barsom
: Etymology: Persian برسم barsam, from Middle Persian برسم barsum, from Avestan بارسمان barsman. a bundle of sacred twigs or metal rods used by priests in Zoroastrian ceremonies.
Bas: Etymology: Hindi बस bas, from Persian بس. The word means Enough, Stop.
Bazaar
: from Persian بازار bāzār (="market"), from Middle-Persian بها-زار bahâ-zâr ("The Place of Prices").
Bazigar
: Etymology: Hindi बाज़ीगर bazigar, from Persian بازیگر. literally means a 'player' (< bāzi 'game, play' + participial suffix -gar; cf. English suffix -er, viz. "play-er")and it refers to a gypsylike nomadic Muslim people in India.
Bedeguar: Etymology: Middle French bedegard, from Persian بادآورد baadaaward. gall like a moss produced on rosebushes (as the sweetbrier or eglantine) by a gall wasp (Rhodites rosae or related species)
Begar: Etymology: Hindi बेगार begaar, from Persian بی-کار bi-kār. Meaning 'without work', forced labor.
Begari: Etymology: Hindi बेगार begaar, from Persian بی-کار bi-kār.. Meaning a person without work, a forced laborer.
Beige
: Etymology: French beige via Old French bege, perhaps from Italian bambagia cotton, from Medieval Latin bambac-, bambax, from Middle Greek βαμβάκ bambak-, βάμβαξ bambax, probably from a Turkish word represented now by Turkish pamuk cotton, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian پامبا pamba cotton. cloth (as dress goods) made of natural undyed wool. a variable color averaging light grayish yellowish brown. a pale to grayish yellow. "beige" /bazh/ may derive from "camBYSES" (Gk. βίσσος "byssos" fine cloth, "bysses.byses" fine threads. Persian princes' robe)
Bellum: Etymology: modification of Persian بالم balam. a Persian-gulf boat holding about eight persons and propelled by paddles or poles.
Benami: Etymology: Hindi बेनाम benaam, from Persian بنام banaam in the name of + i. made, held, done, or transacted in the name of.
Bezoar
: from pād-zahr (پادزهر) antidote. Also used in the following words BEZOAR, ORIENTAL BEZOAR, PHYTOBEZOAR, TRICHOBEZOAR, WESTERN BEZOAR. any of various concretions found in the alimentary organs (especially of certain ruminants) formerly believed to possess magical properties and used in the Orient as a medicine or pigment --
Bheesty
: Etymology: from Persian بهشت bihisht heavenly one. India: a water carrier especially of a household or a regiment.
Bhumidar : Etymology: Hindi भुमिदर bhumidar, from भूमि bhumi earth, land (from Sanskrit भूमि bhuumi also Persian بومی Bumi and Old Persian 𐏏 Bum) + در dar holder (from Persian). India: a landholder having full title to his land.
Bibi : Etymology: Hindi बीबी bibi, from Persian بیبی.
Bildar : Etymology: Hindi बेलदार beldar, from Persian بیلدر bildaar, from بیل bil spade + در -dar holder. Digger, Excavator.
Biryani
: Etymology: Hindi, or Urdu बिरयान biryaan from Persian بریان beryaan. roasted, grilled. Also an Indian dish containing meat, fish, or vegetables and rice flavored with saffron or turmeric.
Bobachee : Etymology: Hindi बाबर्ची babarchi, from Persian باوارچی baawarchi. India: a male cook
Bombast : Etymology: modification of Middle French bombace, from Medieval Latin bombac-, bombax cotton, alteration of Latin bombyc-, bombyx silkworm, silk, from Greek βόμβυκ bombyk-, βόμβυξ bombyx silkworm, silk garment, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian پمپا pamba cotton. 1) obsolete: cotton or any soft fibrous material used as padding or stuffing 2) a pretentious inflated style of speech or writing.
Borax
: Etymology: Via Middle English
boras, Anglo-Norman
boreis, Medieval Latin
baurach, and Arabic
بورق báuraq; ultimately from Persian بره burah or Middle Persian
būrak. the best-known sodium borate Na2B4O7·10H2O
Bostanji
: Turkish bostanci, literally, gardener, from bostan garden, from Persian بوستان bustaan flower or herb garden, from بو bo fragrance + ستان -stan place. one of the imperial guards of Turkey whose duties include protecting the palace and its grounds, rowing the sultan's barge, and acting as imperial gardeners
Bronze
: Etymology: Perhaps ultimately from Pers. برن birinj "copper.".
Brinjal : Etymology: from Persian بادینگان badingaan, probably from Sanskrit वातिगगम vaatingana. Eggplant.
Buckshee : Etymology: Hindi बक्षिस bakhsis, from Persian بخشش bakhshish.
Budmash : Etymology: Persian بدمش badma'sh immoral, from باد bad (from Middle Persian vat) + مش ma'sh (Arabic) living, life. India: a bad character: a worthless person.
Bukshi : Etymology: Persian بخشی bakhshi, literally, giver, from bakhshidan to give. India: a military paymaster.
bulbul
: Etymology: Persian originally borrowed from Arabic بلبل ("nightingale"). a Persian songbird frequently mentioned in poetry that is a nightingale. a maker or singer of sweet songs.
Bund
: Etymology: Hindi बंद band, from Persian. An embankment used especially in India to control the flow of water.
Bunder Boat : Etymology: Hindi बन्दर bandar harbor, landing-place, from Persian. a coastal and harbor boat in the Far East.
Bundobust : Etymology: Hindi बंद-ओ-बसत band-o-bast, literally, tying and binding, from Persian. India: arrangement or settlement of details.
Burka
: Etymology: Arabic برقع burqu' ("face covering with eye openings") via Russian бурка, probably from буры buryi dark brown (of a horse), probably of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish bur red like a fox; the Turkic word probably from Persian بر bur reddish brown;
Burkundaz : Etymology: Hindi बर्क़न्द्ज़ barqandz, from Persian, from برق barq lightning (from Arabic) + اندز andz thrower. an armed guard or policeman of 18th and 19th century India.
Buzkashi
: from Persian بز buz "goat" + کشی kashi "dragging"
: from Persian qâfkuh (قافکوه) or kuh-e qâf (کوه قاف)
Calabash
: possibly from Persian kharabuz, Kharbuzeh (خربزه) melon.
Calean : Etymology: Persian قلیان qalyaan. a Persian water pipe.
Calender or qalandar (dervish order)
: Etymology: Persian قلندر qalandar, from Arabic كالندر, and from Persian قلندر kalandar uncouth man. one of a Sufic order of wandering mendicant dervishes.
Camaca: Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French camocas or Medieval Latin camoca, from Arabic & Persian كمخه کمکها kamkha, kimkha. a medieval fabric prob. of silk and camel's hair used for draperies and garments.
Candy
: from Old French sucre candi, via Arabic قند qandi "candied," derived from Persian قند qand, meaning "sugar." Probably ultimately derived from Sanskrit खुड् khanda sugar, perhaps from Dravidian
.
Carafe
:from Arabic gharafa (قرافه), "to pour"; or from Persian qarabah, (قرابه) "a large flagon
"
Caravan : Etymology: Italian caravana, carovana, from Persian کاروان kārawān. a company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants on a long journey through desert or hostile regions: a train of pack animals.
Caravansary
: Etymology: modification of Persian کاروانسرا kārwānsarā, from کاروان kārwān caravan + سرا sarā palace, large house, inn; an inn in eastern countries where caravans rest at night that is commonly a large bare building surrounding a court.
Carcass
: Etymology: Etymology: Middle French carcasse, alteration of Old French carcois, perhaps from carquois, carquais quiver, alteration of tarquais, from Medieval Latin tarcasius, from Arabic تركيزه tarkash, from Persian ترکش tirkash, from تیر tir arrow (from Old Persian 𐎫𐎡𐎦𐎼𐎠 tigra pointed) + کاش -kash bearing (from کشدن kashdan to pull, draw, from Avestan کارش karsh-);
Carcoon: Etymology: Marathi कारकुन kaarkun, from Persian کارکن kaarkon manager, from کار kaar work, business + کن -kon doer. India: CLERK.
Cash
: Etymology: from Sanskrit कर्ष karsa, a weight of gold or silver but akin to Old Persian 𐎣𐎠𐎼𐎿𐏃𐎠 karsha-, a weight. a unit of value equivalent to one cash coin.
Cassock
: Etymology: Middle French casaque, from Persian کاژاغند kazhaghand padded jacket, from کژ، کاج kazh, kaj raw silk + اند aaghand stuffed. a long loose coat or gown formerly worn by men and women.
Caviar
: from Fr. caviar, from Pers. khaviyar (خاویار), from خیا khaya "egg"+ در dar "bearing, holder".
Ceterach : Medieval Latin ceterah, from Arabic شتاراج shtaraj, from Persian شیتاراخ shitarakh. A small genus of mainly Old World ferns (family Polypodiaceae) typified by the scale fern
Chador
: Hindi काद्दर caddar, from Persian چادر chaddar. a large cloth used as a combination head covering, veil, and shawl usually by women among Muslim and Hindu peoples especially in India and Iran.
Chakar : Hindi चकोर chakor, from Persian چاکر chaker. India: a person in domestic service: SERVANT; also: a clerical worker.
Chakdar: From Panjabi ਛਕ੍ਦਰ੍ chakdar, from ਛਕ੍ chak tenure (from Sanskrit चक्र cakra wheel) + Persian -در -dar having. a native land tenant of India intermediate in position between the proprietor and cultivator.
Chalaza
: Old Slavic zledica frozen rain, Ancient Greek χάλαζα chalaza hailstone or lump, Persian ژاله zhaala hail. Either of a pair of spiral bands of thickened albuminous substance in the white of a bird's egg that extend out from opposite sides of the yolk to the ends of the egg and are there attached to the lining membrane.
Chappow: Persian چپو Chapu pillage or چاپل Chapaul raid. Word is Mongolian in Origin. Pillage/Raid.
Charka: Hindi कारखा carkha, from Persian چرخا, چرخ charkha, charkh wheel, from Middle Persian chark; akin to Avestan chaxra- wheel, Sanskrit cakra. Wheel. a domestic spinning wheel used in India chiefly for cotton.
Charpoy: From Persian چهار-پای Char-pai. Literally meaning four-footed. a bed consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope used especially in India.
Chawbuck: Hindi चाबुक cabuk, from Persian چابک chabuk archaic, chiefly India: a large whip.
Check(and Cheque) :check (cheque)(n.) from O.Fr. eschequier "a check at chess," from eschec, from V.L. *scaccus, from shah "king," the principal piece in a chess game (see shah). 1st Sassanid Empire. When the king is in check a player's choices are limited. Meaning widened from chess to general sense of "adverse event, sudden stoppage" and by c.1700 to (from Persian 'chek' (چك)"a token used to check against loss or theft" (surviving in hat check) and "a check against forgery or alteration," which gave the modern financial use of "bank check, money draft" (first recorded 1798), probably influenced by exchequeur. Check-up "careful examination" is 1921, American English, on notion of a checklist of things to be examined.
Checkmate
: from Middle French eschec mat, from Persian شاه مات shâh mât (="the King ("Shah") is dead")
Chess
: from Russian Шах Shach, from Persian شاه shah ("the King"), an abbreviation of شاه-مات Shâh-mât (Checkmate).
Cheyney: Etymology: probably from Persian چینی chini literally meaning Chinese. a woolen fabric in use during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chick: Hindi सिक ciq, from Persian چیق chiq. a screen used in India and southeast Asia especially for a doorway and constructed of bamboo slips loosely bound by vertical strings and often painted.
Chillum: Etymology: Hindi चिलम cilam, from Persian چلم chilam.
Chilamchi: Etymology: Hindi सिलाम्ची cilamci, from Persian چیلمچی chilamchi. India: a metal wash basin.
China
: Via Chinese 秦 (referring to the Qin Dynasty
), Sanskrit चीन Chinas
, and Latin; Modification (influenced by China, the country) of Persian چین Cin (Chinese) porcelain.
Chinar
: Hindi चिनार chinar, from Persian چنار chanar. A type of Oriental Tree.
Chobdar: Hindi कोब्दर cobdar. From Persian چوبر chubar. from چوب chub, chub staff, wood (from Middle Persian چپ chup wood) + در -dar having.
Cinnabar
: probably from Persian زنجیفرح zanjifrah
Coomb: Middle English combe, from Old English cumb, a liquid measure; akin to Middle Low German kump bowl, vessel, Middle High German kumpf bowl, Persian گمبد/گنبد gumbed(Gonbad). an English unit of capacity equal to 4 imperial bushels or 4.13 United States bushels.
Culgee; Etymology: Hindi कलग kalg, from Persian کلگی kalgi jeweled plume. a jeweled plume worn in India on the turban.
Cummerbund
: from Hindi कमरबंद kamarband (كمربند), from Persian کمر kamar (="waist") + بند band (="band")
Cushy : modification of Hindi खुश khush pleasant, from Persian خوش khush.
: daeva, deva from Avestan daevo; dev from Persian دو deev. Zoroastrianism: a maleficent supernatural being: an evil spirit.
dafadar: From Persian دافءادار Daf'adaar. from Arabic دافئه daf'ah time, turn + Persian در -dar holder.
Daftar: Hindi दफ्तर, record, office, from Persian دفتر Daftar, from Arabic دفتر daftar, diftar, from Aramaic דהפתּיר defter and Greek διφθέρα diphthera prepared hide, parchment, leather.
Daftardar: Etymology: Hindi दफ्तरदार daftardar, from Persian دافءادار, finance officer, from دفتر daftar + در -dar holder.
Dakhma
: Etymology: Persian دخمه, from Middle Persian dakhmak, from Avestan daxma- funeral place.
Daroga: Etymology: Hindi दरोगा daroga, from Persian درگا daaroga. India: a chief officer; especially: the head of a police, customs, or excise station.
Darvesh: Persian درویش darvish.
Darzi
: Hindi दर्जी darzi, from Persian درزی Darzi. A tailor or an urban caste of tailors in Hindu society in India.
Dastur
: Hindi दस्तूर dastur custom, from Persian دستور Dastur. customary fee.
Dastur
: From Persian دستور Dastur. a Parsi high priest.
Dasturi: Hindi दस्तूरी Dasturi from Persian دستور Dastur. Gratuity.
Defterdar
: Turkish, from Persian دفتردار daftardar finance officer. a Turkish government officer of finance; specifically: the accountant general of a province.
Dehwar
: Persian دهور dehwar=دیه Dih(land)+ور war (having possession of). : a member of the Dehwar racial type usually having the status of a laborer or slave.
Dervish
: from Persian درویش Darvish Middle Persian دروش Darweesh. a member of any Muslim religious fraternity of monks or mendicants noted for its forms of devotional exercises
Dewan
: Etymology: Hindi दीवान diwan, from Persian دوان, account book.
Demitasse
: from Fr. demi-tasse, lit. "half-cup," from demi- + tasse, an O.Fr. borrowing from Arabic تصح tassah, from Pers. تشت tasht "cup, saucer".
Div
: See the Entry Daeva above.
Divan
: via French and Turkish divan, from Persian دیوان dēvān (="place of assembly", "roster"), from Old Persian دیپی dipi (="writing, document") + واهانم vahanam (="house")
Doab
: Etymology: Persian دواب doab, from دو do two (from Middle Persian) + آب -ab water. a tract of land between two rivers: INTERFLUVE.
Dogana
: Etymology: from Persian دوگانه, account book. an Italian customhouse.
Douane: Etymology: from Persian دیوان Divan. CUSTOMHOUSE.
Dubber: Etymology: from Persian دبا Dabba. a large globular leather bottle used in India to hold ghee, oil, or other liquid.
Duftery: Etymology: from دفتر Dafter (Record)+ی i. A servant in an office whose duty is to dust and bind records, rule paper, make envelopes. An office boy.
Dumba
: Etymology: Persian, from دمب dumb tail. a fat-tailed sheep of Bokhara and the Kirghiz steppe that furnishes astrakhan.
Durbar: Etymology: Persian, from در dar door + بار baar door, admission, audience. admission, audience of the King.
Durwan: Etymology: Persian درون darwan, from در dar door (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian دور duvar-) + Persian وان -wan keeping, guarding.
Dustuck: Etymology: Hindi दस्तक dastak, from Persian دستک Dastak (handle, related to hand).
Enamdar: Hindi इन'आमदार in'aamdaar, from Persian, from یناءم ina'm (originally Arabic meaning Gift) + در -dar holder. the holder of an enam (Gifts).
Euphrates
: From Old Persian Ufratu "Good to cross over"
Farsi: فارسی, the name for Persian in Arabic. Standard Arabic lacks the /p/ phoneme, as a result, the Arabs who invaded Persia slowly began to refer to the language and the people as "Farsi", rather than "Parsi".
Faujdar
: Hindi फव्ज्दार Fawjdaar from Persian, from Arabic فوج Fawj Host (troops) + Persian دار daar (holder). petty officer (as one in charge of police).
Faujdari: from Persian, from فوجدار fawjdar. a criminal court in India.
Ferghan: from Persian فرغانه Ferghana. a region in Central Asia. a usually small heavy Persian rug chiefly of cotton having usually a web and a fringed end, a deep blue or rose field with an all over herati sometimes guli hinnai design and a main border with a turtle design, and being highly prized if antique.
Feringhee : from Persian 'Farangi'- فرنگی -: from the word Frankish: a person from Europe. The first encounter with Western Europe was during Charlemagne
who was King of Franks. From that time the word Farangi means European, especially Western European. Also after the first Crusade this word appeared frequently in Persian and Arabic literature. (in Arabic as 'Faranji' because they could not pronounce /g/) . The Ottoman Turks
pronounced it as Feringhee.
Fers: Middle English, from Middle French fierce, from Arabic فرزان farzan, from Persian فرزین farzin. Coming from "Fares" a name given by Muslims to the Sassanid era cavalry.
Fida'i: Arabic فيضة fida (sacrifice) plus Persian suffix 'i'. فدایی, a member of an Ismaili order of assassins known for their willingness to offer up their lives in order to carry out delegated assignments of murdering appointed victims.
Firman: from Persian ferman فرمان, from Old Persian framaanaa, a decree or mandate, order, license, or grant issued by the ruler of an Oriental country.;FITNA
(persian)lovable
G
Gatch : from Persian گچ (Gach), a plaster used especially in Persian architectural ornamentation.
Galingale
: from Persian خلنجان khalanjan, a plant.
Ghorkhar : from Persian گوره خر (Gureh Khar). a wild ass of northwestern India believed to be identical with the onager.
Giaour
: from Pers. گور gaur, variant of gabr "fire-worshipper"
Gigerium: from Latin gigeria, plural, entrails of fowl, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian جگر jigar liver.
Gizzard
: earlier gysard, alteration of gysar, from Middle English giser, gyser, from Old North French guisier liver (especially of a fowl), gizzard, modification of Latin gigeria (neuter plural) cooked entrails of poultry, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian جگر jigar liver;
Gul: Etymology: Persian Gol/Gul گل. Rose.
Gulhinnai: Etymology: Persian گلی حنا guli hinna, from Persian گل gul flower, rose + Arabic هنا/حنة hinna/henna. a Persian rug design consisting of a plant with central stem and attached star flowers.
Gulmohar: Etymology: Hindi गुलमोहर gulmohur, from Persian جعل gul rose, flower + مهر muhr seal, gold coin.
Gunge
: Etymology: Hindi गज gãj, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian گنج ganj treasure.
Gymkhana
: Etymology: probably modification (influenced by English gymnasium) of Hindi गेंद-खाना gend-khana racket court, from Persian خانه khana house. a meet or festival featuring sports contests or athletic skills: as a: a horseback-riding meet featuring games and novelty contests (as musical chairs, potato spearing, bareback jumping).
H
Halalcor : Hindi हलालखोर halalkhor, from Persian, from Arabic حلال halal + Persian خور khor eating. a person in Iran and India to whom any food is lawful.
Havildar
: Hindi हवालदार hawaldar, from Arabic حول 'hawala' charge + Persian در 'dar' having. a noncommissioned officer in the Indian army corresponding to a sergeant.
Hyleg
: modification of Persian حلاج hailaj 'material body'. The astrological position of the planets at the time of birth
, from Persian Hindu
, derived from सिन्धु Sindhu, the Sanskrit name for the Indus River
. literary language of northern India usually written in the Devanagari alphabet and one of the official languages of the Republic of India.
Hindu
: from medieval Persian word هندو Hindu (mod. هندی Hendi), from ancient Avestan hendava ultimately from Sanskrit सैन्धव saindhava. "Indian"
Hindustan
: Hindi हिंदुस्तान Hindustan, from Persian هندوستان Hindustan (mod. هندوستان Hendustan) India.
Hircarrah : Persian هارکارا harkara, from har every, all (from Old Persian haruva-) + kaar work, deed, from Middle Persian, from Old Persian kar- to do, make.
Homa
: hom from Persian هم hom, from Avestan haoma. a stylized tree pattern originating in Mesopotamia as a symbol of the tree of life and used especially in Persian textiles.
I
India
: from Persian هند Hind, from Sanskrit सिन्धु Sindu, a river, in particular, the river Indus.
Iran
: from Middle Persian ایر Ir (Ary) + ان an (plural suffix)
Ispaghol: literally, horse's ear, from اسپ asp horse (from Middle Persian) + قول ghol ear. an Old World plantain (Plantago ovata) with mucilaginous seeds that are used in preparing a beverage.
J
Jackal
: from Persian شنگل shaghāl, ultimately from Sanskrit शृगाल sṛgālaḥ. Any of several doglike mammals of the genus Canis of Africa and southern Asia that are mainly foragers feeding on plants, small animals, and occasionally carrion.
Jagir
: from Persian جا Ja (place) + گیر gir (keeping, holding). a grant of the public revenues of a district in northern India or Pakistan to a person with power to collect and enjoy them and to administer the government in the district;
Jama : from Persian جامه Jama (garment). a long-sleeved cotton coat of at least knee length worn by men in northern India and Pakistan. Also used as suffix in the word Pajama.
Jasmine
: from یاسمین yasmin, the name of a climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
Jemadar
: Hindi जमा'दर, जामदार jama'dar, jam'dar (influenced in meaning by Persian جامءات jam'at body of troops), from Arabic جاما jam' collections, assemblage + Persian در dar having. an officer in the army of India having a rank corresponding to that of lieutenant in the English army. any of several police or other officials of the government of India.
Jasper
: The name means "spotted or speckled stone", and is derived via Old French jasrpe (variant of Anglo-Norman
jaspe) and Latin iaspidem (nom. iaspis)) from Greek
ἴασπις iaspis, (feminine noun) from a Semitic language
(cf. Hebrew
ישפה yashepheh, Akkadian
ܝܫܦܗ yashupu), ultimately from Persian
یشپ yašp.
Jezail
: Persian جزاءیل jaza'il. a long heavy Afghan rifle.
Jujube
: Greek ζίζυφον zizyphon, Persian زایزافون zayzafun, an Asiatic tree with datelike fruit.
Julep : from گلاب gulab (rose(گل gul)-water(آب ab)).
K
Kabob : or kebab, possibly from Persian kabab کباب, or from identical forms in Arabic and Urdu
Kabuli : : Persian کابلی kabuli, of or belonging to Kabul
, Afghanistan.
Kaftan
: from Persian خفتان khaftân.
Kajawah: from Persian کجاوه (Kajavah/Kajawah). a pannier used in pairs on camels and mules especially in India.
Kala-Azar: from Hindi कला kala (black) + Persian آذر āzār (disease, pain). a severe infectious disease chiefly of eastern and southern Asia that is marked by fever, progressive anemia, leukopenia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver and is caused by a flagellate (Leishmania donovani) which is transmitted by the bite of sand flies (genus Phlebotomus) and which proliferates in reticuloendothelial cells – called also visceral leishmaniasis.
Kamboh: Etymology: Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Kamboh as "a member of a low caste in the Punjab
engaged chiefly in agriculture". This definition of Webster for Kamboh is based on a Persian proverb
, reportedly of modern origin, according to which, the Afghan
s, the Kambohs and the Kashmiris
are all rogues. This proverb, though very popular, also has several versions, across the length and breadth of the north-west region, some of which name the Sindi
s and/or the Jatts in place of Kambohs. According to H. Blochman, this proverb is of recent origin since it was indeed a matter of honour to belong to the Kamboh lineage during the reigns of Mughal
emperors like Akbar and Jahangir
etc. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Sayyid
s and the Kambohs, from among the Indians, were specially favored for high civil and military positions during muslim
rule in India.
Karez
: Etymology: کارز kârez an underground irrigation tunnel bored horizontally into rock slopes in Baluchistan. a system of irrigation by underground tunnels.
Kemancha: Etymology: from Persian کمانچه Kamancheh. a violin popular in Middle East, Caucus and Central Asia. It has usually a single string and a gourd resonator and is held vertically when played.
Kerana
: Etymology: modification of Persian karranâi کرنای, from نی nâi, reed, reed pipe. a long Persian trumpet.
Kenaf
: Etymology: Persian. a valuable fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus) of the East Indies now widespread in cultivation.
Khaki
: from Hindustani
and Urdu ख़ाकी/خاکی khaki (="made from soil", "dusty" or "of the colour of soil"), from Persian خاک khak (= "soil")
Khakhsar : Etymology: Hindi खाकसार khâksâr, from Persian khâkâsr خاکسار humble, probably from khâk dust + -sâr like. a member of a militant Muslim nationalist movement of India.
Khan: Arabic خان khân, from Persian. (not to be confused by the Turko-Mongol Khan). a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries.
Khankah: Etymology: Hindi खानकाह khânaqâh, from Persian خانه khâna house + گاه gâh place.
Khidmatgar: from Arabic خدمة khidmah service + Persian گر -gar (suffix denoting possession or agency). In India: a male waiter
Khoja
: Etymology: originally from Persian khâwja خواجه. used as a title of respect.
Khuskhus: Etymology: Persian & Hindi खसखस/خسخس khaskhas. an aromatic grass (Andropogon zizamoides) whose especially fragrant roots yield an oil used in perfumery and are also made into mats in tropical India – called also vetiver.
Kincob: Etymology: Hindi किमखाब, कमख्वाब kimkhab, kamkhwab, from Persian. an Indian brocade usually of gold or silver or both.
Kiosk
: from کوشک kushk (="palace, portico, pavilion") or Middle Persian gōšak "corner"
Koftgari: Hindi कोफ्त्गर koftgar, from Persian کوفتگری koftgari, from کوفت koft blow, beating + گر -gar doing. Indian damascene work in which steel is inlaid with gold.
Koh-i-noor
: from Pers. koh کوه "mountain" نور Noor (light)." famous diamond that became part of the British crown jewels after the annexation of Punjab by Great Britain in 1849, from Persian کوہ نور Kh-i-nr, literally, mountain of light
Kotwal
: Hindi कोतवाल kotwal, from Persian. a chief police officer or town magistrate in India.
Kotwalee: Hindi कोतवाल kotwal, from Persian, from کوتوله kotwalee. a police station in India.
Kran
: Persian قران qran. the basic monetary unit of Persia from 1826 to 1932. a silver coin representing one kran.
Kurta
: Hindi & Urdu कुरता کُرتا kurta, from Persian کرتا kurtâ. a loose-fitting collarless shirt.
Kusti
: Persian کستی، کشتی kusti, kushti, from کشت kusht waist, side, from Middle Persian کست، کوستک kust, kustak. the sacred cord or girdle worn by Parsis as a mark of their faith – compare.
L
Lac
: Persian لک lak and Hindi लाख lakh. Resinous substance secreted by the lac insect and used chiefly in the form of shellac. Any of various plant or animal substances that yield hard coatings resembling lac and shellac.
Lamasery: French lamaserie, from lama + -serie (from Persian سرای sarāi palace, large house).
Larin
: Etymology: Persian لاری lārī. a piece of silver wire doubled over and sometimes twisted into the form of a fishhook that was formerly used as money in parts of Asia.
Lascar: Urdu lashkarī < Pers, equiv. to لاسخار lashkar army + -ī suffix of appurtenance]. an East Indian sailor. Anglo-Indian. an artilleryman.
Lasque: Etymology: perhaps from Persian لاشک lashk bit, piece. a flat thin diamond usually cut from an inferior stone and used especially in Hindu work.
Leucothoe
: legendary Persian princess supposed to have been changed by Apollo into a sweet-scented shrub. a large genus of American and Asiatic shrubs of the family Ericaceae with herbage that contains a poisonous substance similar to that found in shrubs of the genus Kalmia and with flowers in terminal and axillary one-sided racemes.
Lemon
: Origin: 1350–1400; 1905–10 for def. 4; < ML lemōnium; r. ME lymon < ML līmō, (s. līmōn-) < Pers لیمو، لیمون līmū, līmun. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. the yellowish, acid fruit of a subtropical citrus tree, Citrus limon. According to www.dictionary.com: Although we know neither where the lemon was first grown nor when it first came to Europe, we know from its name that it came to us from the Middle East because we can trace its etymological path. One of the earliest occurrences of our word is found in a Middle English customs document of 1420–1421. The Middle English word limon goes back to Old French limon, showing that yet another delicacy passed into England through France. The Old French word probably came from Italian limone, another step on the route that leads back to the Arabic word ليمون، ليمون laymūn or līmūn, which comes from the Persian word لیمون līmūn.
Lilac
: from Pers. لیلک lilak, variant of نیلک nilak "bluish," from नील nil "indigo"
Lungī
: Hindi लुंगी lungī, from Persian. a usually cotton cloth used especially in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Burma for articles of clothing (as sarongs, skirts, and turbans).
Laari
: Etymology: probably from Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands) ލާރި, from Persian ا lr piece of silver wire used as currency, from Lārī, town in S Persia where the currency was first minted. a Maldivian monetary unit equal to 1/100 rufiyaa. a coin representing one laari.
M
Magic
: Middle English magik, from Middle French magique, from Latin magicus, from Greek magikos (μαγικός), from magos magus, wizard, sorcerer (of Iranian origin; akin to Old Persian magush sorcerer). of or relating to the occult: supposedly having supernatural properties or powers.
Magus, magi
: from magus, from Old Persian maguš "mighty one", Priest
of Zoroastrianism. A member of the Zoroastrian priestly caste of the Medes and Persians. Magus In the New Testament, one of the wise men from the East, traditionally held to be three, who traveled to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus.
Malguzar : Hindi मालगुजार malguzar, from Arabic مال mal property, rent + Persian گزار guzar payer. Equivalent to Malik in India.
Manichean: Latin Manichaeus member of the Manichean sect (from Late Greek Μανιχαίος Manichaios, from Manichaios Manes died ab276A.D. Persian sage who founded the sect) + English -an. of or relating to Manichaeism or the Manichaeans. characterized by or reflecting belief in Manichaeism. Manicheanism was founded by Mani
.
Manticore
: from O. Pers. word for "man eater," cf. مارتی martiya- "man" + root of خور khvar- "to eat". a legendary animal having the head of a man often with horns, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon or scorpion.
Markhor
: Persian مار mār(snake)+خور khōr(eating), consuming (from khōrdan to eat, consume). a wild goat (Capra falconieri) of mountainous regions from Afghanistan to India.
Mazdak
: Name of Persian reformer of Zoroastrian Faith.
Mazdakite: from مزدک Mazdak (of belonging to Mazda), 5th century A.D. Persian religious reformer + English ite. a member of the sect of Mazdak
.
Mazdoor
: Hindi मजदूर mazdur, from Persian مزدور muzdur. an Indian laborer.
Mehmandar: Persian مهماندار mihmāndār, from میهمان mihmān guest (from Middle Persian مهمان mehmān) + در -dār holder. an official in India, Persia, or Afghanistan appointed to escort an ambassador or traveler.
Mehtar
: Persian محتر mihtar prince, greater, elder, from mih great (from Middle Persian meh, mas) + -tar, comparative suffix (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian -tara-). A groom
Mesua
: New Latin, from Johannes Mesuë (Arabic يوحنا بن ماسويه Yuhanna ibn-Masawayah) died 857 Persian Christian physician Masawayah in the service of the Caliph. a genus of tropical Asiatic trees (family Guttiferae) having large solitary flowers with a 2-celled ovary.
Mezereon: Middle English mizerion, from Medieval Latin mezereon, from Arabic مزارعين mazariyun, from Persian کشاورزان. a small European shrub (Daphne mezereum) with fragrant lilac purple flowers that appear before the leaves, an acrid bark used in medicine, and a scarlet fruit sometimes used as an adulterant of black pepper.
Mirza
: Persian میرزا mirza, literally, son of a lord. a common title of honor in Persia prefixed to the surname of a person of distinction.
Mithra
: from the name of the Persian God Mithra.
Mithraeum
: from Persian مطهرا Mithra
Mithraism
: from Persian مطهرا Mithra
Mobed: a Parsi priest. The word is cognate with Magian and Magus.
Mogul
: from مغول mughul (="Mongolian")
Mohur
: Hindi मुहर muhur, muhr gold coin, seal, from Persian مهر muhr; an old gold coin of the Moguls that circulated in India from the 16th century. any one of several gold coins formerly issued by Indian states (as Bikaner, Gwalior, Hyderabad) and by Nepal and Tibet.
Mummy
: Middle English mummie, from Middle French momie, from Medieval Latin mumia, from Arabic موميياه mumiyah mummy, bitumen, from Persian موم mum wax. a concoction formerly used as a medicament or drug containing powdered parts of a human or animal body.
Murra
: Etymology: Latin, probably of Iranian origin like Greek μόρρηία μὖρρα morrhia murra; akin to Persian مری mori, muri little glass ball. a material thought to be of semiprecious stone or porcelain used to make costly vessels in ancient Rome.
Musk
: from Middle English muske, Middle French musc, Late Latin Muscus, and Late Greek (moschos), ultimately from Middle Persian مسک musk, from Sanskrit मुस्कस् muska (="testicle") from diminutive of मुस mus (="mouse"). a substance that has a penetrating
persistent odor, that is obtained from a sac situated under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, that when fresh in the pods is brown and unctuous and when dried is a grainy powder, that varies in quality according to the season and age of the animal, and that is used chiefly in the form of a tincture as a fixative in perfumes
Musth
: Hindi मस्त mast intoxicated, ruttish, from Persian ماست mast; akin to Sanskrit मदति madati he rejoices, is drunk. a periodic state of murderous frenzy of the bull elephant usually connected with the rutting season and marked by the exudation of a dark brown odorous ichor from tiny holes above the eyes- on must also in must: in a state of belligerent fury – used of the bull elephant.
Mussulman
: from Persinan مسلمان musulman (adj.), from Arabic مسلم Muslim (q.v.) + Persian adj. suffix -an.
N
Naan
: Etymology: Hindi + Urdu + Punjabi + Persian नान/نان/ ਨਾਨ/نان nan bread; Hindi + Urdu nan, from Persian nan; akin to Baluchi nayan bread, Sogdian nyny. a round or oblong flat leavened bread especially of the Indian subcontinent.
Nakhuda
: Etymology: Persian ناخدا nākhudā, from ناو nāv boat (from Old Persian) + خدا khudā master, from Middle Persian khutāi. a master of a native vessel.
Namaz : Etymology: Persian نماز namāz. akin to Sanskrit नमस् namas obeisance. Islamic worship or prayer.
Naphtha
: Latin, from Greek: Νάφθα, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan napta moist, Persian neft naphtha; from Persian naft "naphtha". perhaps akin to Greek nephos cloud, mist. petroleum especially when occurring in any of its more volatile varieties.
Nargil: Origin: 1830–40; < Turk nargile < Pers نارگیله nārgīleh, deriv. of نارگیل nārgīl coconut, from which the bowl was formerly made.
Nauruz
: Persian نوروز nauruz. literally, new day, from nau new + ruz. the Persian New Year's Day celebrated at the vernal equinox as a day of great festivity.
Nay
: Etymology: Arabic ناي nay, from Persian: نی. a vertical end-blown flute of ancient origin used in Muslim lands.
Neftgil: Etymology: German, from Persian نفتداگیل نفتها naftdagil naphtha clay
Numdah: Etymology: Hindi नंदा namda, from Persian نماد namad, from Middle Persian نامت namat; akin to Avestan namata. a thick felted rug of India and Persia usually made of pounded goat's hair and embroidered with bird or floral designs in colored wool yarn
Nuristani: Etymology: Persian nuristan نورستان (Parsi نور Noorr+Persian عشتا Istan(Place)), from Nuristan, region of northeastern Afghanistan.
O
Orange
: from Milanese narans (via Old French orenge, Italian arancia, and Spanish naranja), from Medieval Latin pomum de orange, from Arabic نارنج nāranj, from Persian نارنگ nārang, from Sanskrit नारङ्ग nāraṅga, from some Dravidian language, possibly Tamil
or Malayalam
P
Padishah
: Origin: 1605–15; < Pers (poetical form), equiv. to پدی pādi- (earlier پاتی pati) lord + شاه shāh. More on Etymology: Persian پادشاه pādishah, from Middle Persian پاتاخشاه pātakhshah, from Old Persian پاتی pati + کشی xshay- to rule; akin to Avestan xshayeti. great king; emperor (a title applied esp. formerly to the shah of Iran, the sultan of Turkey, and to the British sovereign as emperor in India).
Pagoda
: via Portuguese pagode, from a corruption of Pers. بتکده butkada, from but "idol" + kada "dwelling."
Pahlavi : Etymology: Middle Persian Pahlavi. The Middle Persian language of Sassanid Persia. a script used for writing Pahlavi and other Middle Iranian languages.
Pajama: from Urdu/Hindi पैजामा paajaama, from Persian پايجامه pāë (pāÿ) jāmah, from pAy (="leg") + jAma (="garment"). of, pertaining to, or resembling pajamas: a pajama top; a lounging outfit with pajama pants
Pakistan
: From پاکستان; the Persian word of "Land of the Pure"
Paneer
: Hindi & Urdu पनीर/پنیر panir, from Persian پنير panir (general term meaning Cheese). a soft uncured Indian cheese.
Papoosh: earlier papouch, from French, from Persian پاپوش pāpush. BABOUCHE.
Para
: Etymology: Turkish, from Persian پاره pārah. a Turkish monetary unit equal in modern Turkey to 1/4000 of a lira. any one of several units of value formerly used in countries at one time under the Turkish Empire.
Paradise
: via French: "paradis" and Latin: "paradisus," from Greek paradeisos (παράδεισος) (=enclosed park"), from the Avestan word pairidaeza (a walled enclosure), which is a compound of pairi- (around), a cognate of the Greek
peri-, and -diz (to create, make), a cognate of the English dough. An associated word is the Sanskrit
word paradesha which literally means supreme country.
Parasang
: Latin parasanga, from Greek Παρασάγγης parasanges, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian farsung (فرسنگ) parasang
Pargana
: Etymology: Hindi परंगा pargana, from Persian. a group of towns in India constituting an administrative subdivision of the zillah.
Parsee : Etymology: from O.Pers. 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎡 parsi "Persian." In M.E., Parsees from پارسی Pârsi. Meaning Persian. Also Zoroastrian of India descended from Persian refugees fleeing Islam in the 7th century and settling principally at Bombay
Pasar: : Malay, from Persian بازار bāzār. See bazar. an Indonesian public market.
Pasha
: Turkish paşa possibly from Persian پادشاه pādshāh; see Padishah.
Pashm : Etymology: pashm, pashim from Persian پشم pashm wool; pashmina from Persian pashmn woolen, from pashm. the under fleece of upland goats of Kashmir and the Punjab that was formerly used locally for the production of rugs and shawls but is now largely exported.
Pashmina
: from Pashmineh, made from پشم pashm; pashm (= "wool"). the fine woolly underhair of goats raised in northern India.
, from Afghan. According to Morgenstein the word is akin to Parthava, Persian, Pahlav. The Iranian language of Pathan people and the chief vernacular of eastern Afghanistan, North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, and northern Baluchistan
Peach
: a corruption of the Latin word "Persicum." Peaches are called in Latin malum Persicum (Persian apple) prunum persicum (Persian plum), or simply persicum (pl. persici). This should not be confused with the more modern Linnaean
classification Prunus persica, a neologism describing the peach tree itself (from the Latin prunus, -i which signifies "plum
tree").
Percale
: Persian پرگاله pargālah. a firm smooth cotton cloth closely woven in plain weave and variously finished for clothing, sheeting, and industrial uses.
Percaline: French, from percale (from Persian پرگاله pargālah) + -ine. a lightweight cotton fabric made in plain weave, given various finishes (as glazing, moiré), and used especially for clothing and linings; especially: a glossy fabric usually of one color used for bookbindings.
Peri
: Persian پري (peri) or fairy, genius, from Middle Persian parik. Persian folklore: a male or female supernatural being like an elf or fairy but formed of fire, descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until penance is accomplished, and originally regarded as evil but later as benevolent and beautiful. Also a beautiful and graceful girl or woman.
Persepolis
: from 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa+ Greek πόλεις polis.
Persia: via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa
Persis : via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa
Peshwa
: Hindi & Marathi पेशवा pesva, from Persian پشه peshwa leader, guide, from pesh before. the chief minister of a Maratha prince.
Pilaf
Origin: 1925–30; < Turk pilâv < Pers پلو pilāw. a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish.
Pir
: Etymology: Persian پیر Pir (Old Man). a religious instructor, esp. in mystical sects.
Pistachio
: from Latin pistācium, from Greek πιστάκιον, from Persian پسته pistah. small tree (Pistacia vera) of southern Europe and Asia Minor having leaves with 3 to 5 broad leaflets, greenish brown paniculate flowers, and a large fruit. the edible green seed of the pistachio tree.
Posteen: Persian pustin of leather, from pust skin, from Middle Persian. an Afghan pelisse made of leather with the fleece on.
Popinjay
: from O.Fr. papegai (12c.), from Sp. papagayo, from Ar. باباغا babagha', from Pers. ببقا babgha "parrot,"
Prophet Flower: translation of Persian گلی پیغمبر guli paighmbar flower of the Prophet (Muhammad died A.D.632 Arabian prophet and founder of Islam). an East Indian perennial herb (Arnebia echioides) having yellow flowers marked with five spots that fade after a few hours; also: a related annual
Punjab
: via Hindi Panjab, from Pers. پنج panj "five" + آب ab "water.". of or relating to the Punjab or its inhabitants.
Purwannah: Hindi परवाना parwana, from Persian: پرونه. a written pass or permit.
Pyke
: Hindi पायिक, पायक pāyik, pāyak messenger, from Persian dialect England: a civilian at whose expense a soldier is treated or entertained.
Pyjama: Urdu/Hindi पैजामा pajama from Persian: پاجامہ (pajama, literally, feet-garments). These are loose lightweight trousers formerly often worn in the Near East, a loose usually two-piece lightweight suit designed especially for sleeping or lounging.
R
Rank : from Persian رنگ rang meaning "color", as the Sassanid army was ranked and dressed by color
roc : from Persian رخ rukh (name of a legendary bird)
rook
: from Middle English rok, from Middle French roc, from Arabic روخ rukh, from Persian رخ rukh (=chess piece)
rose
: from Latin rosa, probably from ancient Greek ῥόδον rhodon, possibly ult. from Pers. وارده *varda-.
roxanne : fem. proper name, from Fr. Roxane, from L. Roxane, from Gk. Ρωξάνη Rhoxane, of Pers. origin (cf. Avestan راوُخشنه raoxšna- "shining, bright").
S
Sabzi
: Etymology: Hindi सब्ज़ sabz, literally, greenness, from Persian: سَبز sæbz, a green vegetable.
Saffian: Etymology: Russian сафьян saf'yan, from Turkish sahtiyan, from Persian ساختین sakhtiyn goatskin, from sakht hard, strong. a leather made of goatskins or sheepskins tanned with sumac and dyed with bright colors.
Samosa
: Etymology: Hindi समोसा samosa from Persian سمبوسه sambusa. a small triangular pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables and fried in ghee or oil
Sandal
: Etymology: Arabic صندل sandal, from Persian صندل sandal skiff.
Saoshyant
: Etymology: Avestan, savior. one of three deliverers of later Zoroastrian eschatology appearing at thousand year intervals and each inaugurating a new order of things and a special period of human progress.
Sapindales
: from Persian Spand (اسپند)
Sarangousty: Etymology: Persian سر-انگشتی sar-angushti thin paste for painting the tips of fingers, from ساری انگشت sari angusht fingertip, from سر sar head + انگشت angusht finger, toe. stucco made waterproof for protection against dampness.
Sard
from Persian زرد Zard.
Sarod
: Etymology: Hindi सरोद sarod, from Persian: سرود.
Sarwan: Etymology: Persian ساربان saarbaan. a camel driver.
Satrap
: governor of a province of ancient Persia, from Latin satrapes, from Greek σατράπης satrapes, from Old Persian 𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎱𐎠𐎺𐎠 kshathrapavan-, lit. "guardian of the realm,"
scarlet
: from Pers. سقلات saqalat "a type of red cloth". a rich cloth of bright color. a vivid red that is yellower and slightly paler than apple red
Scimitar
: Etymology: Middle French cimeterre, from Old Italian scimitarra, perhaps from Persian شمشیر shamshir. a type of blade.
Sebesten: Etymology: Middle English, Medieval Latin sebestēn, from Arabic سيبيستين sibistn, from Persian سگپیستان segpistan. an East Indian tree (Cordia myxa) with white flowers in loose terminal panicles.
Seer
: Etymology: Hindi सेर ser; perhaps akin to Persian سیر seer. a unit of weight.
Seerpaw: Etymology: سر Sar(head)+پا paa(feet). head to foot.
Seersucker
: Pers. شیر و سکر shir o shakkar "striped cloth," lit. "milk and sugar". Also from Sanskrit क्षीरशर्करा (kshirsharkara), or milk-sugar."
Sepoy
: Etymology: modification of Portuguese sipai, sipaio, from Hindi सिपाह sipah, from Persian سپاهی Sipahi
, horseman, soldier of the cavalry, from sipah army. a native of India employed as a soldier in the service of a European power; especially: one serving in the British army.
Serai: Etymology: from Persian سرای saraay, palace, mansion, inn.
Seraglio
: from سرای sarây "inn"
Serang
: Etymology: Persian سرهنگ sarhang commander, boatswain, from سر sar chief + هنگ hang authority. boatswain. the skipper of a small boat.
Serdab
: Persian سرداب sardab ice cellar, from سرد sard cold + آب ab water. a living room in the basement of a house in the Near East that provides coolness during the summer months
Serendipity
: from the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip سه شاهزادهى سرانديپ, from Persian Sarandip سرانديپ(="Sri Lanka"),
Sesban: Etymology: French, from Arabic سيسبان saisabaan, from Persian سیسبان sisabaan. Either of two East Indian plants of the genus Sesbania (S. aculeata and S. aegyptiaca).
Setwall: Etymology: from Persian زادور zaadwar.
Shabundar/Shabandar: Etymology: From Persian شهباندار shahbandar, from شاه shah King + بندر bandar city, harbor.
Shah
: Etymology: from شاه shāh, from Old Persian 𐏋 χšāyaþiya (="king"), from an Old Persian verb meaning "to rule"
Shahi
: Etymology: Persian شاهی shahi. a former Persian unit of value equal to 1/20 silver kran; also: a corresponding coin of silver or copper or nickel
Shahidi
: Etymology: Arabic شهيد Shahid (one who bears witness) + Persian suffix ی i.
Shahin
: Etymology: Persiah شاهین Shahin (Falcon). an Indian falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) having the underparts of a plain unbarred ferruginous color, being related to the peregrine falcon, and used in falconry
Shahzada: Etymology: Hindi शाह-जादा shah-zada, from Persian, from شاه shah king + زاده zada son. The son of a Shah.
Shamiana
: Etymology: Hindi शामियाना shamiyana, from Persian شامیانه shamyanah. a cloth canopy
Shawl
: Etymology: from Persian شال shāl.
Sherristar: Etymology: from Hindi सर्रिश्ताद्र sarrishtadr, from Persian سررشته sarrishta(sarreshteh) record office + دار daar having. Registrar.
Sherry
: According to one theory, it is from Jerez in Spain, which itself comes from Pers شیراز Shiraz during the time of Rustamid empire in Spain. The theory is also mentioned by Professor. T.B. Irving in one of his book reviews
Sherryvallies: Etymology: modification of Polish szarawary, from Russian шаравары sharavary, from Greek σαρβαρα sarabara loose trousers, probably of Iranian origin; akin to Persian شلوار shalwar, shulwar loose trousers. overalls or protective leggings of thick cloth or leather formerly worn for riding on horseback
Shikar: Etymology: Hindi सीकर sikar, from Persian شکار shikaar, Middle Persian شکار shkaar. The word means hunting.
Shikargah: Etymology: Hindi सिकारगाह sikaargaah, from Persian شیکرگاه shikrgaah, from shikaar hunting + -gah place. A game preserve.
Shikari: Etymology: From Persian شکار Shikar+Persian suffix ی (i) denoting possession. a big game hunter.
Shikasta
: Etymology: Persian شکسته shikasta broken, from shikastan شكستن to break, from Middle Persian shikastan.
Shikra
: Etymology: from Persian شکرا shikara bird trained to hunt. a small Indian hawk (Accipiter badius) sometimes used in falconry.
Simurgh
: Etymology: from Pers. سیمرغ simurgh, from Pahlavi sin "eagle" + murgh "bird." Cf. Avestan saeno merego "eagle," Skt. syenah "eagle," Arm. ցին cin "kite.". a supernatural bird, rational and ancient, in Pers. mythology.
Sipahis: See Spahi and Sepoy.
Sircar: Etymology: Hindi सरकार sarkaar, from Persian سرکار sarkaar. a district or province in India under the Mogul empire. the supreme authority. used also as a title of respect. in Bengal a domestic servant having the functions of a steward.
Sitar
: Etymology: via Hindi सितार sitar, from Pers. ستار sitar "three-stringed," from sih/she "three" (O.Pers. thri-) + Persian. tar "string". an Indo-Iranian lute with a long broad neck and a varying number of strings whose various forms are used in Iran, Afghanistana and the Indian subcontinent.
Softa : Etymology: Turkish, from Persian سوخته sukhtah burnt, kindled (with love of knowledge).
Sogdian
: Etymology: Latin sogdianus, from Old Persian Sughuda. of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient Sogdiana.
Soorki:: Etymology: Hindi सुर्ख surkh, from Persian سرخ surkh, literally, redness, from surkh red, from Middle Persian سخر sukhr; akin to Avestan suXra- bright, Sanskrit sukra
Sowar
: Etymology: Persian صور suwar rider, from Middle Persian asbar, aspwar, from Old Persian asabra- horseman, from asa- horse + -bra- carried by, rider. a mounted orderly. Lancer.
Spahi
: Etymology: Middle French spahi, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian سپاه from Pahlavi spāh, from Old Persian taxma spāda, from Avestan spādha, meaning army, military. one of a corps of Algerian native cavalry in the French army normally serving in Africa. one of a corps of largely irregular Turkish cavalry disbanded after the suppression of the Janissaries in 1826.
Spinach
: Etymology: Middle French espinache, espinage, from Old Spanish espinaca, from Arabic يسبناخ , يسفينآخ isbnakh, isfinaakh, from Persian اسپاخ aspanakh.
Squinch
: Etymology: Persian سه+کنج=) سکنج) —A squinch in architecture is a construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a base to receive an octagonal or spherical
dome
. A later solution of this structural problem was provided by the pendentive
. The squinch was invented in Iran
. It was used in the Middle East
in both eastern Romanesque and Islamic architecture
. It remained a feature of Islamic architecture, especially in Iran
, and was often covered by corbelled stalactite
-like structures known as muqarnas
.
-Stan
: ـستان;meaning "land" or "country", source of place names such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, etc., from Pers. -stan "country," from Indo-Iranian *stanam "place," lit. "where one stands,"
Subahdar
: Etymology: Persian سبادار subadar, from suba province + -dar having, holding, from Old Persian dar- to hold. the chief native officer of a native company in the former British Indian army having a position about equivalent to that of captain
Sugar
: Etymology: The word is Sanskrit which is an Indo-Iranian language of the Indo-Aryan branch but Persian played a role in transmitting it. Middle English sugre, sucre, from Anglo-French sucre, from Medieval Latin
saccharum, from Old Italian zucchero, from Arabic sukkar, from Pahlavi shakar, ultimately from Sanskrit sarkara
Suclat: Etymology: Hindi सुकला suqlaa, from Persian سقلات saqalaat a rich cloth. In India any of various woolens; specifically European broadcloth.
Surma
: Etymology: Persian سرما Surma. native antimony sulfide used in India to darken the eyelids.
Surnay: Etymology: Persian سرنای Surnaay. a Middle Eastern and Central Asian oboe.
syagush: Persian سیاه-گوش siyah-gush, literally, black ear. Caracal.
Samosa
: Etymology: Hindi समोसा samos & Urdu سموسہ، سمبسا samosa, sambsa, from Persian سنبوسه sambusa.
T
Tabasheer
: Etymology: Hindi तब्श्र tabshr, from Persian. a siliceous concretion in the joints of the bamboo valued in the East Indies as a medicine.
Tabor
: Etymology: Middle English tabur, from Welsh Tabwrdd and Old French tabour/tabur, alteration of tambur. See tambour.
Taffeta
: Etymology: from Persian تافته taftah meaning woven.
Tahsildar: Etymology: Hindi तहसीलदार tahsildar, from Persian تحصیلدار, from Arabic تحصيل tahsil + Persian در -dar. a revenue officer in India.
Taj: Etymology: Arabic تاج taj, from Persian تاج taj, crown, crest, cap. a cap worn in Muslim countries; especially: a tall cone-shaped cap worn by dervishes.
Taj Mahal
: from Persian: تاج محل, lit. "the best of buildings;" or "the Crown's Place".
Tajikistan
: تاجیکستان; Tajik combined with Persian suffix -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Tajiks" in Persian.
Talc
: from Pers. تالک talk "talc."
Tambour
: Etymology: French, drum, from Middle French, from Arabic طنبور tanbur, modification (influenced by tunbur, a lute) of Persian تعبیر tabir.
Tambourine
: See above.
Tanbur
: Etymology: Persian تمبر Tambur.
Tangi: Etymology: Persian تنگی Tangi. a narrow gorge
Tandoori : from تنور tannur "oven, portable furnace,"+Persian suffix i.
Tapestry
: probably from an Iranian source (cf. Pers. تفتان، تابیدن taftan, tabidan "to turn, twist").
Tar
: Etymology: Persian: تار. An oriental lute.
Tarazet : from (Shahin-e Tarazu) شاهین ترازو
Tass: Etymology: Middle French tasse, from Arabic طعس/تصح tass, tassah, from Persian تست tast. a drinking cup or bowl.
Tebbad: Etymology: perhaps from Persian تاب tab fever + باد bad wind, from Middle Persian vat; akin to Avestan vata- wind, Sanskrit वत vata.
Temacha: Etymology: Persian تاماخرا tamakhra joke, humor. a Persian comic or farcical interlude performed by traveling players.
Thanadar: Etymology: Hindi थंडर thandar, from تهان than + Persian در -dar having. the chief officer of a thana.
Tiara
: via Latin tiara from Persian تاره tara
Timar
: Etymology: Turkish timar attendance, care, timar, from Persian تمر tmr sorrow, care. a Turkish fief formerly held under condition of military service.
Tiger
: via Greek Τίγρις tigris from an Iranian source
Tigris
: From Middle Persian تیگر Tigr "arrow", originally from Old Persian 𒋾𒂵𒊏 Tigra "pointed" or "sharp"
Toque : from O. Pers. طاق taq "veil, shawl."
Tranky: Etymology: Persian dialect ترانکی tranki. an undecked bark used in the Persian gulf.
Trehala: Etymology: probably from French tréhala, from Turkish tgala, from Persian تیغال tighal.
Tulip
: Etymology: any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa. from French tulipe, from Persian دلبند dulband.
Turan
: from Persian توران
Turanian: Etymology: Persian توران Turan ترکستان Turkistan (literally: "Land of the Turks"), the region north of the Oxus + English -ian. A member of any of the peoples of Ural-Altaic stock.
Turanite: Etymology: from Persian توران Turan + Russian -it' -ite. a basic vanadate of copper prob. Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4.
Turanose
: Etymology: German turanos, from Persian توران Turan + German -os -ose; obtained by the partial hydrolysis of melezitose; 3-α-glucosyl-fructose
Turban
: from Persian دلبند dulband Band = To close, To tie.
Turkmenistan
: ترکمنستان; Turkmen combined with Persian suffix ـستان -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Turkmens" in Persian.
Typhoon : Etymology: via Chinese 大风/大風, Hindi दफुं, Arabic طوفان, and Ancient Greek τυφῶν; ultimately from Persian word Toofaan (طوفان)
U
V
Vispered: Avestan vispa ratavo meaning all the lords. one of the supplementary ritual texts included in the Avestan sacred writings.
vizier
: وزير etymology disputed; general references often derive it from Arabic وزير wazir, "viceroy", lit. "one who bears (the burden of office)", lit. "porter, carrier", from Arabic وزارة wazara, "he carried". However, Jared S. Klein derives it from Middle Persian وهر vichir, from Avestan vicira, "arbitrator, judge".
X
Y
Yarak : Etymology: From Persian یارِگی yaraki power, strength. good flying condition: FETTLE – used of a hawk or other bird used in hunting eagles ... are difficult to get into yarak – Douglas Carruthers.
Yasht
: Modern Persian یشت from Avesta. Avestan yashtay adoration. one of the hymns to angels or lesser divinities forming part of the Avesta
.
Yuft: Etymology: Russian Йуфт, Йухт yuft', yukht', perhaps from Persian جفت juft pair.
Z
Zamindar
: Etymology: zamindar, from Persian, from زمین zamin land + دار -dar holder meaning "Possessor of real estate" in Persian. A collector of revenues from the cultivators of the land of a specified district for the government of India during the period of Muslim rule
Zamindari: Etymology: from Persian, from زمیندار zamindar.
Zanza : Etymology: Arabic سنج sanj castanets, cymbals, from Persian سنج sanj. an African musical instrument consisting of graduated sets of tongues of wood or metal inserted into and resonated by a wooden box and sounded by plucking with the fingers or thumbs.
Zarathushtra
or Zarathustra
: the Persian prophet
Zedoary
: Etymology: Middle English zeduarie, from Medieval Latin zeduria, from Arabic زادور zadwr, from Persian. an East Indian drug consisting of the rhizome of either of two species of curcuma, Curcuma zedoaria or C. aromatica, used as a stimulant.
Zenana
: Etymology: From Persian زن zan woman. The literal meaning is Women-related. The part of a dwelling in which the women of a family are secluded in India and Persian.
Zena
: feminine given name from Persian زن Zan (woman).
Zerda: Etymology: Arabic زيرداو zerdaw, probably of Persian origin. Fennec.
Zircon
: Via German
Zirkon and Arabic
ئشقنعى zarkûn; ultimately from Persian زرگون zargun, "gold-colored" or from Syriac
ܙܐܪܓܥܢܥ Zargono.
Zirconate
: zircon + the suffix -ate, from Latin -atus
Zirconia: zircon + the New Latin -ia suffix
Zirconium
: zircon + the New Latin suffix -ium
Zoroaster
: from Persian Zarathushtra
Zoroastrianism
: The religion brought forth by Zoroaster.
Zumbooruk: from Persian زنبوره zanburah.
Sources
External links
Indo-European languages
The Indo-European languages are a family of several hundred related languages and dialects, including most major current languages of Europe, the Iranian plateau, and South Asia and also historically predominant in Anatolia...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
have many words of common Proto-Indo-European
Proto-Indo-European language
The Proto-Indo-European language is the reconstructed common ancestor of the Indo-European languages, spoken by the Proto-Indo-Europeans...
origin, and many of these [cognate] words often have similar forms. Examples of these include: English (Mother) and Persian (Mādar), English (Father) and Persian (Padar), English (Daughter) and Persian (Dokhtar), English (jungle) and Persian (jangal), English (Brother) and Persian (Barādar) and English (Name) and Persian (Nām). However, this article will be concerned with loanwords, that is, words in English that derive from Persian, either directly, or more often, via one or more intermediary languages.
Many words of Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
origin have made their way into the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
through different, often circuitous, routes. Some of them, such as "paradise
Paradise
Paradise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. It is conceptually a counter-image of the miseries of human civilization, and in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, but it is not necessarily a land of luxury and...
", date to cultural contacts between the Persians and the ancient Greeks or Romans and through Greek and Latin found their way to English. Persian as the second important language of Islam has influenced many languages in the Muslim world, and its words have found their way beyond the Muslim world.
Persia remained largely impenetrable to English-speaking travelers well into the 19th century. Persia was protected from Europe by overland trade routes that passed through territory inhospitable to foreigners, while trade at Persian ports in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
was in the hands of locals. In contrast, intrepid English traders operated in Mediterranean seaports of the Levant
Levant
The Levant or ) is the geographic region and culture zone of the "eastern Mediterranean littoral between Anatolia and Egypt" . The Levant includes most of modern Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and sometimes parts of Turkey and Iraq, and corresponds roughly to the...
from the 1570s, and some vocabulary describing features of Ottoman culture found their way into the English language. Thus many words in the list below, though originally from Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, arrived in English through the intermediary of Ottoman Turkish language
Ottoman Turkish language
The Ottoman Turkish language or Ottoman language is the variety of the Turkish language that was used for administrative and literary purposes in the Ottoman Empire. It borrows extensively from Arabic and Persian, and was written in a variant of the Perso-Arabic script...
.
Many Persio-Arabic words also came into English through Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
during British colonialism.
Persian was the language of the Mughal court before British rule in India even though locals in North India spoke Hindusthani.
Other words of Persian origin found their way into European languages— and eventually reached English at second-hand— through the Moorish-Christian cultural interface in the Iberian peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
thus being transmitted through Arabic.
B
Babouche : Etymology: via French babouche and Arabic بابوش, from Persian pāpoosh (پاپوش), from pa "foot" + poosh "covering." a chiefly oriental slipper made without heel or quarters.Babul
Babul
Babul or is a 1950 Bollywood film directed by S.U. Sunny produced and with music direction by Naushad. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Munawar Sultana and Nargis. A box-office success, the film became the second highest earning film of 1950, earning an approximate gross of Rs. 1,25,00,000 and a nett...
: Etymology: Persian بابل bābul; akin to Sanskrit बब्बुल, बब्ब्ल babbula, babbla (Acacia arabica). an acacia tree (Acacia arabica) that is probably native to the Sudan but is widespread in northern Africa and across Asia through much of India
Badian
Star anise
Illicium verum, commonly called Star anise, star aniseed, or Chinese star anise, is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of Illicium verum, a small native evergreen tree of northeast Vietnam and southwest China...
: Etymology: French badiane, from Persian بادیان bādiyān 'anise.'
Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
: بغداد, From Middle Persian Bhagadad (< baga 'god' and dāta 'given, gave') meaning "Gifted by God"
Bakhtiar
Bakhtiar
Bakhtiār or Bakhtiyār , also spelled as Bakhtyar, Baxtiyar, Baxtiyor and Bahtiyar, is a Persian given name for boys, popular in Iran, Central Asia, and among the Muslims of South Asia...
: Etymology: Persian بختیار Bakhtyār, from bakhtyār fortunate, rich, from bakht fortune, prosperity + dār (> yār; cf. shayriyār 'sovereign, king' < xshatra 'domenion, country' > shahr 'country, city' + dār 'having power over s.th.) 'haver/having,' i.e., 'he/she who possesses fortune'. a member of the Bakhtiari people.
Baksheesh
Baksheesh
Baksheesh is a term used to describe tipping, charitable giving, and certain forms of political corruption and bribery in the Middle East and South Asia...
: from Persian bakhshesh (بخشش), lit. "gift," from verb بخشیدن bakhshidan "to give, to give in charity, to give mercifully; (hence, also) to forgive". a gift of money
Balaghat
Balaghat
Balaghat is a city and a municipality in Balaghat district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balaghat District. The town was originally called "Burha" or "Boora", but this name was replaced by "Balaghat", which was originally the name of the district...
: Etymology: probably from Hindi बालाघाट, from Persian بالا bālā 'above' + Hindi gaht 'pass.' tableland above mountain passes.
Balkans (region)
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
: Etymology: from Persian بالا bālā 'big, high, upper, above' + خانه khāna 'house, upperhouse, room'.
Balcony
Balcony
Balcony , a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade.-Types:The traditional Maltese balcony is a wooden closed balcony projecting from a...
: Etymology: بالاخانه bālākhāna from Persian بالا bālā 'above' + خانه khāna 'house, upperhouse, room'
Baldachin
Baldachin
A baldachin, or baldaquin , is a canopy of state over an altar or throne. It had its beginnings as a cloth canopy, but in other cases it is a sturdy, permanent architectural feature, particularly over high altars in cathedrals, where such a structure is more correctly called a ciborium when it is...
: "Baldachin" (called Baldac in older times) was originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived. Baghdad is a Persian word meaning 'Gifted by God'.
Baluchi
Baloch people
The Baloch or Baluch are an ethnic group that belong to the larger Iranian peoples. Baluch people mainly inhabit the Balochistan region and Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Western Asia....
: Etymology: Persian بلوچ، بلوچی Baluch, Baluchi. an Indo-Iranian people blended from a mixture of the Veddoid type isolated in the Hadhramaut and of the Irano-Afghan type and located in Baluchistan in the southwestern part of Pakistan.
Baluchistan
Balochistan (region)
Balochistan or Baluchistan is an arid, mountainous region in the Iranian plateau in Southwest Asia; it includes part of southeastern Iran, western Pakistan, and southwestern Afghanistan. The area is named after the numerous Baloch tribes, Iranian peoples who moved into the area from the west...
: Etymology: from Baluchistan, country of western Asia, from Persian بلوچستان Baluchistaan. a rug in somber colors (as mulberry and deep blue) woven by nomad tribes in Baluchistan and especially Seistan.
Ban (title)
Ban (title)
Ban was a title used in several states in central and south-eastern Europe between the 7th century and the 20th century.-Etymology:The word ban has entered the English language probably as a borrowing from South Slavic ban, meaning "lord, master; ruler". The Slavic word is probably borrowed from...
: "governor of Croatia," from Serbo-Croat. ban "lord, master, ruler," from Persian baan (بان) "prince, lord, chief, governor"
Barbican
Barbican
A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from...
: possibly from Persian (خانه khāneh "house").
Barsom
Barsom
A barsom is a ritual implement used by Zoroastrian priests to solemnize certain sacred ceremonies.The word barsom derives from the Avestan language baresman , which is in turn a substantive of barez "to grow high." The later form – barsom – first appears in the 9th–12th-century...
: Etymology: Persian برسم barsam, from Middle Persian برسم barsum, from Avestan بارسمان barsman. a bundle of sacred twigs or metal rods used by priests in Zoroastrian ceremonies.
Bas: Etymology: Hindi बस bas, from Persian بس. The word means Enough, Stop.
Bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
: from Persian بازار bāzār (="market"), from Middle-Persian بها-زار bahâ-zâr ("The Place of Prices").
Bazigar
Bazigar
Bazigars are a nomad gipsy-folk of India, found throughout North India. They live a life apart from the surrounding Hindu population, and still preserve a certain ethnical identity, scarcely justified by any indications given by their physique...
: Etymology: Hindi बाज़ीगर bazigar, from Persian بازیگر. literally means a 'player' (< bāzi 'game, play' + participial suffix -gar; cf. English suffix -er, viz. "play-er")and it refers to a gypsylike nomadic Muslim people in India.
Bedeguar: Etymology: Middle French bedegard, from Persian بادآورد baadaaward. gall like a moss produced on rosebushes (as the sweetbrier or eglantine) by a gall wasp (Rhodites rosae or related species)
Begar: Etymology: Hindi बेगार begaar, from Persian بی-کار bi-kār. Meaning 'without work', forced labor.
Begari: Etymology: Hindi बेगार begaar, from Persian بی-کار bi-kār.. Meaning a person without work, a forced laborer.
Beige
Beige
Beige may be described as an off tan color or an extremely pale brown color.The term originates from beige cloth, a cotton fabric left undyed in its natural color...
: Etymology: French beige via Old French bege, perhaps from Italian bambagia cotton, from Medieval Latin bambac-, bambax, from Middle Greek βαμβάκ bambak-, βάμβαξ bambax, probably from a Turkish word represented now by Turkish pamuk cotton, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian پامبا pamba cotton. cloth (as dress goods) made of natural undyed wool. a variable color averaging light grayish yellowish brown. a pale to grayish yellow. "beige" /bazh/ may derive from "camBYSES" (Gk. βίσσος "byssos" fine cloth, "bysses.byses" fine threads. Persian princes' robe)
Bellum: Etymology: modification of Persian بالم balam. a Persian-gulf boat holding about eight persons and propelled by paddles or poles.
Benami: Etymology: Hindi बेनाम benaam, from Persian بنام banaam in the name of + i. made, held, done, or transacted in the name of.
Bezoar
Bezoar
A bezoar is a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system , though it can occur in other locations. A pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally into the digestive system....
: from pād-zahr (پادزهر) antidote. Also used in the following words BEZOAR, ORIENTAL BEZOAR, PHYTOBEZOAR, TRICHOBEZOAR, WESTERN BEZOAR. any of various concretions found in the alimentary organs (especially of certain ruminants) formerly believed to possess magical properties and used in the Orient as a medicine or pigment --
Bheesty
Bheesty
The Bhishti are a Muslim community found in North India, Pakistan and the Terai region of Nepal. They are also known as Shaikh Abbasi and Saqqa, and use Abbasi as a surname. In Maharashtra, the community is often referred to as Pakhali...
: Etymology: from Persian بهشت bihisht heavenly one. India: a water carrier especially of a household or a regiment.
Bhumidar : Etymology: Hindi भुमिदर bhumidar, from भूमि bhumi earth, land (from Sanskrit भूमि bhuumi also Persian بومی Bumi and Old Persian 𐏏 Bum) + در dar holder (from Persian). India: a landholder having full title to his land.
Bibi : Etymology: Hindi बीबी bibi, from Persian بیبی.
Bildar : Etymology: Hindi बेलदार beldar, from Persian بیلدر bildaar, from بیل bil spade + در -dar holder. Digger, Excavator.
Biryani
Biryani
Biryani, biriani, or beriani is a set of rice-based foods made with spices, rice and meat, fish, eggs or vegetables. The name is derived from the Persian word beryā which means "fried" or "roasted"....
: Etymology: Hindi, or Urdu बिरयान biryaan from Persian بریان beryaan. roasted, grilled. Also an Indian dish containing meat, fish, or vegetables and rice flavored with saffron or turmeric.
Bobachee : Etymology: Hindi बाबर्ची babarchi, from Persian باوارچی baawarchi. India: a male cook
Bombast : Etymology: modification of Middle French bombace, from Medieval Latin bombac-, bombax cotton, alteration of Latin bombyc-, bombyx silkworm, silk, from Greek βόμβυκ bombyk-, βόμβυξ bombyx silkworm, silk garment, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian پمپا pamba cotton. 1) obsolete: cotton or any soft fibrous material used as padding or stuffing 2) a pretentious inflated style of speech or writing.
Borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
: Etymology: Via Middle English
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
boras, Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
boreis, Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages, primarily as a medium of scholarly exchange and as the liturgical language of the medieval Roman Catholic Church, but also as a language of science, literature, law, and administration. Despite the clerical origin of many of its authors,...
baurach, and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
بورق báuraq; ultimately from Persian بره burah or Middle Persian
Middle Persian
Middle Persian , indigenously known as "Pârsig" sometimes referred to as Pahlavi or Pehlevi, is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times became a prestige dialect and so came to be spoken in other regions as well. Middle Persian is classified as a...
būrak. the best-known sodium borate Na2B4O7·10H2O
Bostanji
Bostanji
Bostanji, also Bostangi , was one of the imperial guards of the Ottoman Empire. Bostanjis were mainly responsible for protecting the sultan's palace and its premises. Their chief was called the Bostanji-bashi , and he had the rank of a pasha.-External links:* Digital Gallery. New York Public...
: Turkish bostanci, literally, gardener, from bostan garden, from Persian بوستان bustaan flower or herb garden, from بو bo fragrance + ستان -stan place. one of the imperial guards of Turkey whose duties include protecting the palace and its grounds, rowing the sultan's barge, and acting as imperial gardeners
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
: Etymology: Perhaps ultimately from Pers. برن birinj "copper.".
Brinjal : Etymology: from Persian بادینگان badingaan, probably from Sanskrit वातिगगम vaatingana. Eggplant.
Buckshee : Etymology: Hindi बक्षिस bakhsis, from Persian بخشش bakhshish.
Budmash : Etymology: Persian بدمش badma'sh immoral, from باد bad (from Middle Persian vat) + مش ma'sh (Arabic) living, life. India: a bad character: a worthless person.
Bukshi : Etymology: Persian بخشی bakhshi, literally, giver, from bakhshidan to give. India: a military paymaster.
bulbul
Bulbul
Bulbuls are a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds. Many forest species are known as greenbuls. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, and north as far as Japan. A few insular species occur on the tropical islands...
: Etymology: Persian originally borrowed from Arabic بلبل ("nightingale"). a Persian songbird frequently mentioned in poetry that is a nightingale. a maker or singer of sweet songs.
Bund
Bunding
Bunding, also called a bund wall, is the area within a structure designed to prevent inundation or breaches of various types.-Liquid containment:...
: Etymology: Hindi बंद band, from Persian. An embankment used especially in India to control the flow of water.
Bunder Boat : Etymology: Hindi बन्दर bandar harbor, landing-place, from Persian. a coastal and harbor boat in the Far East.
Bundobust : Etymology: Hindi बंद-ओ-बसत band-o-bast, literally, tying and binding, from Persian. India: arrangement or settlement of details.
Burka
Burqa
A burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic religion to cover their bodies in public places. The burqa is usually understood to be the woman's loose body-covering , plus the head-covering , plus the face-veil .-Etymology:A speculative and unattested etymology...
: Etymology: Arabic برقع burqu' ("face covering with eye openings") via Russian бурка, probably from буры buryi dark brown (of a horse), probably of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish bur red like a fox; the Turkic word probably from Persian بر bur reddish brown;
Burkundaz : Etymology: Hindi बर्क़न्द्ज़ barqandz, from Persian, from برق barq lightning (from Arabic) + اندز andz thrower. an armed guard or policeman of 18th and 19th century India.
Buzkashi
Buzkashi
Buzkashi or Kok-boru or Oglak Tartis or Ulak Tartysh is a traditional Central Asian...
: from Persian بز buz "goat" + کشی kashi "dragging"
C
CafcuhCafcuh
Cafcuh or Kafkuh is a mythological mountain based on the reality for Iranian People...
: from Persian qâfkuh (قافکوه) or kuh-e qâf (کوه قاف)
Calabash
Calabash
Lagenaria siceraria , bottle gourd, opo squash or long melon is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd...
: possibly from Persian kharabuz, Kharbuzeh (خربزه) melon.
Calean : Etymology: Persian قلیان qalyaan. a Persian water pipe.
Calender or qalandar (dervish order)
Qalandar
Qalandars are wandering ascetic Sufi dervishes who may or may not be connected to a specific tariqat. They are most prevalent in Central Asia, India and Pakistan, in the latter "qalandar" is also used as a title...
: Etymology: Persian قلندر qalandar, from Arabic كالندر, and from Persian قلندر kalandar uncouth man. one of a Sufic order of wandering mendicant dervishes.
Camaca: Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French camocas or Medieval Latin camoca, from Arabic & Persian كمخه کمکها kamkha, kimkha. a medieval fabric prob. of silk and camel's hair used for draperies and garments.
Candy
Candy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
: from Old French sucre candi, via Arabic قند qandi "candied," derived from Persian قند qand, meaning "sugar." Probably ultimately derived from Sanskrit खुड् khanda sugar, perhaps from Dravidian
Dravidian languages
The Dravidian language family includes approximately 85 genetically related languages, spoken by about 217 million people. They are mainly spoken in southern India and parts of eastern and central India as well as in northeastern Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, and...
.
Carafe
Carafe
The carafe , is used for serving wine and other drinks. Unlike the related [decanter], carafes do not include stoppers.Coffee Pots included in coffee makers are also referred to as carafes....
:from Arabic gharafa (قرافه), "to pour"; or from Persian qarabah, (قرابه) "a large flagon
Flagon
A flagon is a large leather, metal or ceramic vessel, commonly a pitcher, often used for drink, whether this be water, ale, or something else.-Christian use:...
"
Caravan : Etymology: Italian caravana, carovana, from Persian کاروان kārawān. a company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants on a long journey through desert or hostile regions: a train of pack animals.
Caravansary
Caravanserai
A caravanserai, or khan, also known as caravansary, caravansera, or caravansara in English was a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day's journey...
: Etymology: modification of Persian کاروانسرا kārwānsarā, from کاروان kārwān caravan + سرا sarā palace, large house, inn; an inn in eastern countries where caravans rest at night that is commonly a large bare building surrounding a court.
Carcass
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
: Etymology: Etymology: Middle French carcasse, alteration of Old French carcois, perhaps from carquois, carquais quiver, alteration of tarquais, from Medieval Latin tarcasius, from Arabic تركيزه tarkash, from Persian ترکش tirkash, from تیر tir arrow (from Old Persian 𐎫𐎡𐎦𐎼𐎠 tigra pointed) + کاش -kash bearing (from کشدن kashdan to pull, draw, from Avestan کارش karsh-);
Carcoon: Etymology: Marathi कारकुन kaarkun, from Persian کارکن kaarkon manager, from کار kaar work, business + کن -kon doer. India: CLERK.
Cash
Cash
In common language cash refers to money in the physical form of currency, such as banknotes and coins.In bookkeeping and finance, cash refers to current assets comprising currency or currency equivalents that can be accessed immediately or near-immediately...
: Etymology: from Sanskrit कर्ष karsa, a weight of gold or silver but akin to Old Persian 𐎣𐎠𐎼𐎿𐏃𐎠 karsha-, a weight. a unit of value equivalent to one cash coin.
Cassock
Cassock
The cassock, an item of clerical clothing, is an ankle-length robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, Lutheran Church and some ministers and ordained officers of Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Ankle-length garment is the meaning of the...
: Etymology: Middle French casaque, from Persian کاژاغند kazhaghand padded jacket, from کژ، کاج kazh, kaj raw silk + اند aaghand stuffed. a long loose coat or gown formerly worn by men and women.
Caviar
Caviar
Caviar, sometimes called black caviar, is a luxury delicacy, consisting of processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe. The roe can be "fresh" or pasteurized, the latter having much less culinary and economic value....
: from Fr. caviar, from Pers. khaviyar (خاویار), from خیا khaya "egg"+ در dar "bearing, holder".
Ceterach : Medieval Latin ceterah, from Arabic شتاراج shtaraj, from Persian شیتاراخ shitarakh. A small genus of mainly Old World ferns (family Polypodiaceae) typified by the scale fern
Chador
Chador
A chādor or chādar is an outer garment or open cloak worn by many Iranian women and female teenagers in public spaces. Wearing this garment is one possible way in which a Muslim woman can follow the Islamic dress code known as ḥijāb. A chador is a full-body-length semicircle of fabric that is...
: Hindi काद्दर caddar, from Persian چادر chaddar. a large cloth used as a combination head covering, veil, and shawl usually by women among Muslim and Hindu peoples especially in India and Iran.
Chakar : Hindi चकोर chakor, from Persian چاکر chaker. India: a person in domestic service: SERVANT; also: a clerical worker.
Chakdar: From Panjabi ਛਕ੍ਦਰ੍ chakdar, from ਛਕ੍ chak tenure (from Sanskrit चक्र cakra wheel) + Persian -در -dar having. a native land tenant of India intermediate in position between the proprietor and cultivator.
Chalaza
Chalaza
The chalaza is a structure inside bird and reptile eggs and plant ovules. It attaches or suspends the yolk or nucellus within the larger structure.-In animals:...
: Old Slavic zledica frozen rain, Ancient Greek χάλαζα chalaza hailstone or lump, Persian ژاله zhaala hail. Either of a pair of spiral bands of thickened albuminous substance in the white of a bird's egg that extend out from opposite sides of the yolk to the ends of the egg and are there attached to the lining membrane.
Chappow: Persian چپو Chapu pillage or چاپل Chapaul raid. Word is Mongolian in Origin. Pillage/Raid.
Charka: Hindi कारखा carkha, from Persian چرخا, چرخ charkha, charkh wheel, from Middle Persian chark; akin to Avestan chaxra- wheel, Sanskrit cakra. Wheel. a domestic spinning wheel used in India chiefly for cotton.
Charpoy: From Persian چهار-پای Char-pai. Literally meaning four-footed. a bed consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope used especially in India.
Chawbuck: Hindi चाबुक cabuk, from Persian چابک chabuk archaic, chiefly India: a large whip.
Check(and Cheque) :check (cheque)(n.) from O.Fr. eschequier "a check at chess," from eschec, from V.L. *scaccus, from shah "king," the principal piece in a chess game (see shah). 1st Sassanid Empire. When the king is in check a player's choices are limited. Meaning widened from chess to general sense of "adverse event, sudden stoppage" and by c.1700 to (from Persian 'chek' (چك)"a token used to check against loss or theft" (surviving in hat check) and "a check against forgery or alteration," which gave the modern financial use of "bank check, money draft" (first recorded 1798), probably influenced by exchequeur. Check-up "careful examination" is 1921, American English, on notion of a checklist of things to be examined.
Checkmate
Checkmate
Checkmate is a situation in chess in which one player's king is threatened with capture and there is no way to meet that threat. Or, simply put, the king is under direct attack and cannot avoid being captured...
: from Middle French eschec mat, from Persian شاه مات shâh mât (="the King ("Shah") is dead")
Chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
: from Russian Шах Shach, from Persian شاه shah ("the King"), an abbreviation of شاه-مات Shâh-mât (Checkmate).
Cheyney: Etymology: probably from Persian چینی chini literally meaning Chinese. a woolen fabric in use during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Chick: Hindi सिक ciq, from Persian چیق chiq. a screen used in India and southeast Asia especially for a doorway and constructed of bamboo slips loosely bound by vertical strings and often painted.
Chillum: Etymology: Hindi चिलम cilam, from Persian چلم chilam.
Chilamchi: Etymology: Hindi सिलाम्ची cilamci, from Persian چیلمچی chilamchi. India: a metal wash basin.
China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
: Via Chinese 秦 (referring to the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
), Sanskrit चीन Chinas
Chinas
The Chinas or Chīnaḥ are a people mentioned in ancient Indian literature from the first millennium BC, such as the Mahabharata, Laws of Manu, as well the Puranic literature...
, and Latin; Modification (influenced by China, the country) of Persian چین Cin (Chinese) porcelain.
Chinar
Platanus orientalis
Platanus orientalis, or the Oriental plane, is a large, deciduous tree of the Platanaceae family, known for its longevity and spreading crown. The species name derives from its historical distribution eastward from the Balkans, where it was recognized in ancient Greek history and literature....
: Hindi चिनार chinar, from Persian چنار chanar. A type of Oriental Tree.
Chobdar: Hindi कोब्दर cobdar. From Persian چوبر chubar. from چوب chub, chub staff, wood (from Middle Persian چپ chup wood) + در -dar having.
Cinnabar
Cinnabar
Cinnabar or cinnabarite , is the common ore of mercury.-Word origin:The name comes from κινναβαρι , a Greek word most likely applied by Theophrastus to several distinct substances...
: probably from Persian زنجیفرح zanjifrah
Coomb: Middle English combe, from Old English cumb, a liquid measure; akin to Middle Low German kump bowl, vessel, Middle High German kumpf bowl, Persian گمبد/گنبد gumbed(Gonbad). an English unit of capacity equal to 4 imperial bushels or 4.13 United States bushels.
Culgee; Etymology: Hindi कलग kalg, from Persian کلگی kalgi jeweled plume. a jeweled plume worn in India on the turban.
Cummerbund
Cummerbund
A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with single-breasted dinner jackets . The cummerbund was first adopted by British military officers in colonial India as an alternative to a waistcoat, and later spread to civilian use...
: from Hindi कमरबंद kamarband (كمربند), from Persian کمر kamar (="waist") + بند band (="band")
Cushy : modification of Hindi खुश khush pleasant, from Persian خوش khush.
D
DaevaDaeva
Daeva in Avestan language meaning "a being of shining light", is a term for a particular sort of supernatural entity with disagreeable characteristics. Equivalents in Iranian languages include Pashto dêw , Baluchi dêw , Persian dīv , Kurdish dêw...
: daeva, deva from Avestan daevo; dev from Persian دو deev. Zoroastrianism: a maleficent supernatural being: an evil spirit.
dafadar: From Persian دافءادار Daf'adaar. from Arabic دافئه daf'ah time, turn + Persian در -dar holder.
Daftar: Hindi दफ्तर, record, office, from Persian دفتر Daftar, from Arabic دفتر daftar, diftar, from Aramaic דהפתּיר defter and Greek διφθέρα diphthera prepared hide, parchment, leather.
Daftardar: Etymology: Hindi दफ्तरदार daftardar, from Persian دافءادار, finance officer, from دفتر daftar + در -dar holder.
Dakhma
Dakhma
A Tower of Silence or Dakhma is a circular, raised structure used by Zoroastrians for exposure of the dead.There is no standard technical name for such a construction. The common dakhma or dokhma originally denoted any place for the dead...
: Etymology: Persian دخمه, from Middle Persian dakhmak, from Avestan daxma- funeral place.
Daroga: Etymology: Hindi दरोगा daroga, from Persian درگا daaroga. India: a chief officer; especially: the head of a police, customs, or excise station.
Darvesh: Persian درویش darvish.
Darzi
Darzi
The Darzi are a Muslim community, found in North India and Pakistan. Darzi means tailor in Urdu. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. They are also known as Idrisi or Idrisi Shaikh.-History and origin:...
: Hindi दर्जी darzi, from Persian درزی Darzi. A tailor or an urban caste of tailors in Hindu society in India.
Dastur
Dastur
A dastūr is a Zoroastrian high priest who has authority in religious matters and ranks higher than a Mobad or Herbad.In modern usage the term dastūr refers mostly to Parsi priests in India.-References:...
: Hindi दस्तूर dastur custom, from Persian دستور Dastur. customary fee.
Dastur
Dastur
A dastūr is a Zoroastrian high priest who has authority in religious matters and ranks higher than a Mobad or Herbad.In modern usage the term dastūr refers mostly to Parsi priests in India.-References:...
: From Persian دستور Dastur. a Parsi high priest.
Dasturi: Hindi दस्तूरी Dasturi from Persian دستور Dastur. Gratuity.
Defterdar
Defterdar
Defterdars were top officials in charge of the finances in the Ottoman Empire, including heads of the Ottoman provincial treasuries; they were responsible for defters....
: Turkish, from Persian دفتردار daftardar finance officer. a Turkish government officer of finance; specifically: the accountant general of a province.
Dehwar
Dehwar
Dehwar is a name of Baloch tribe in Balochistan. The tribe is settled primarily in Kalat, Khuzdar, Kharan, Noshkey, Sarlath, Dalbandin, and Mastung. The principal clans into which the tribe is divided are the Yusufzai dodaki Sanjarzai and Khwajakhail...
: Persian دهور dehwar=دیه Dih(land)+ور war (having possession of). : a member of the Dehwar racial type usually having the status of a laborer or slave.
Dervish
Dervish
A Dervish or Darvesh is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.-Etymology:The Persian word darvīsh is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian...
: from Persian درویش Darvish Middle Persian دروش Darweesh. a member of any Muslim religious fraternity of monks or mendicants noted for its forms of devotional exercises
Dewan
Dewan
The originally Persian title of dewan has, at various points in Islamic history, designated various differing though similar functions.-Etymology:...
: Etymology: Hindi दीवान diwan, from Persian دوان, account book.
Demitasse
Demitasse
A demitasse is a small cup used to serve Arabic coffee or espresso. In some languages it is called fincan, fildžan, filxhan or φλιτζάνι . In Spanish, it is called a pocillo....
: from Fr. demi-tasse, lit. "half-cup," from demi- + tasse, an O.Fr. borrowing from Arabic تصح tassah, from Pers. تشت tasht "cup, saucer".
Div
Daeva
Daeva in Avestan language meaning "a being of shining light", is a term for a particular sort of supernatural entity with disagreeable characteristics. Equivalents in Iranian languages include Pashto dêw , Baluchi dêw , Persian dīv , Kurdish dêw...
: See the Entry Daeva above.
Divan
Divan
A divan was a high governmental body in a number of Islamic states, or its chief official .-Etymology:...
: via French and Turkish divan, from Persian دیوان dēvān (="place of assembly", "roster"), from Old Persian دیپی dipi (="writing, document") + واهانم vahanam (="house")
Doab
Doab
A Doab is a term used in India and Pakistan for a "tongue" or tract of land lying between two confluent rivers...
: Etymology: Persian دواب doab, from دو do two (from Middle Persian) + آب -ab water. a tract of land between two rivers: INTERFLUVE.
Dogana
Dogana
Dogana may be:*Dogana, a town of San Marino*Dogana, means customs in Italian and can refer to :** Individual Custom Houses such as that of Venice**Agenzia delle Dogane , the Italian customs organisation...
: Etymology: from Persian دوگانه, account book. an Italian customhouse.
Douane: Etymology: from Persian دیوان Divan. CUSTOMHOUSE.
Dubber: Etymology: from Persian دبا Dabba. a large globular leather bottle used in India to hold ghee, oil, or other liquid.
Duftery: Etymology: from دفتر Dafter (Record)+ی i. A servant in an office whose duty is to dust and bind records, rule paper, make envelopes. An office boy.
Dumba
Dumba
DUMBA was a collective living space and anarchist, queer, all-ages community center and venue in Brooklyn, New York.DUMBA became a radical cultural nexus point around which the Queercore movement flourished and an independent film scene developed...
: Etymology: Persian, from دمب dumb tail. a fat-tailed sheep of Bokhara and the Kirghiz steppe that furnishes astrakhan.
Durbar: Etymology: Persian, from در dar door + بار baar door, admission, audience. admission, audience of the King.
Durwan: Etymology: Persian درون darwan, from در dar door (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian دور duvar-) + Persian وان -wan keeping, guarding.
Dustuck: Etymology: Hindi दस्तक dastak, from Persian دستک Dastak (handle, related to hand).
E
Emblic: New Latin emblica, from Arabic أملج amlaj, from Persian املاحaamlah. an East Indian tree (Phyllanthus emblica) used with other myrobalans for tanning.Enamdar: Hindi इन'आमदार in'aamdaar, from Persian, from یناءم ina'm (originally Arabic meaning Gift) + در -dar holder. the holder of an enam (Gifts).
Euphrates
Euphrates
The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia...
: From Old Persian Ufratu "Good to cross over"
F
Farsakh : Arabic فرسخ farsakh, from Persian farsang فرسنگ. a Persian metric unit equal to 10 kilometers or 6.21 miles.Farsi: فارسی, the name for Persian in Arabic. Standard Arabic lacks the /p/ phoneme, as a result, the Arabs who invaded Persia slowly began to refer to the language and the people as "Farsi", rather than "Parsi".
Faujdar
Faujdar
Faujdar/Fouzder/Fouzdar/Foujdar was a title awarded by Muslim rulers to people who had responsibility of protecting some territory.In pre-Mughal times, the term referred to a military officer but did not refer to a specific rank. With the administrative reforms performed by Mughal emperor Akbar,...
: Hindi फव्ज्दार Fawjdaar from Persian, from Arabic فوج Fawj Host (troops) + Persian دار daar (holder). petty officer (as one in charge of police).
Faujdari: from Persian, from فوجدار fawjdar. a criminal court in India.
Ferghan: from Persian فرغانه Ferghana. a region in Central Asia. a usually small heavy Persian rug chiefly of cotton having usually a web and a fringed end, a deep blue or rose field with an all over herati sometimes guli hinnai design and a main border with a turtle design, and being highly prized if antique.
Feringhee : from Persian 'Farangi'- فرنگی -: from the word Frankish: a person from Europe. The first encounter with Western Europe was during Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
who was King of Franks. From that time the word Farangi means European, especially Western European. Also after the first Crusade this word appeared frequently in Persian and Arabic literature. (in Arabic as 'Faranji' because they could not pronounce /g/) . The Ottoman Turks
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
pronounced it as Feringhee.
Fers: Middle English, from Middle French fierce, from Arabic فرزان farzan, from Persian فرزین farzin. Coming from "Fares" a name given by Muslims to the Sassanid era cavalry.
Fida'i: Arabic فيضة fida (sacrifice) plus Persian suffix 'i'. فدایی, a member of an Ismaili order of assassins known for their willingness to offer up their lives in order to carry out delegated assignments of murdering appointed victims.
Firman: from Persian ferman فرمان, from Old Persian framaanaa, a decree or mandate, order, license, or grant issued by the ruler of an Oriental country.;FITNA
Fitna
Fitna is an Arabic word with connotations of secession, upheaval and chaos. It is widely used in Arabic daily language as an adjective refers to "causing problems between people" or attempt to create chaotic situation that tests one's faith. Although, the translation of this word often become a...
(persian)
lovable
GGatch : from Persian گچ (Gach), a plaster used especially in Persian architectural ornamentation.
Galingale
Galangal
Galangal is a rhizome of plants of the genus Alpinia or Kaempferia in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, with culinary and medicinal uses originated from Indonesia...
: from Persian خلنجان khalanjan, a plant.
Ghorkhar : from Persian گوره خر (Gureh Khar). a wild ass of northwestern India believed to be identical with the onager.
Giaour
Giaour
Giaour, Gawur or Ghiaour written gâvur in modern Turkish, is an offensive ethnic slur used by Muslims in Turkey and the Balkans to describe all who are non Muslim, with particular reference to Christians like Greeks, Armenians, Bulgarians, Serbs and Assyrians...
: from Pers. گور gaur, variant of gabr "fire-worshipper"
Gigerium: from Latin gigeria, plural, entrails of fowl, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian جگر jigar liver.
Gizzard
Gizzard
The gizzard, also referred to as the ventriculus, gastric mill, and gigerium, is an organ found in the digestive tract of some animals, including birds, reptiles, earthworms and some fish. This specialized stomach constructed of thick, muscular walls is used for grinding up food; often rocks are...
: earlier gysard, alteration of gysar, from Middle English giser, gyser, from Old North French guisier liver (especially of a fowl), gizzard, modification of Latin gigeria (neuter plural) cooked entrails of poultry, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian جگر jigar liver;
Gul: Etymology: Persian Gol/Gul گل. Rose.
Gulhinnai: Etymology: Persian گلی حنا guli hinna, from Persian گل gul flower, rose + Arabic هنا/حنة hinna/henna. a Persian rug design consisting of a plant with central stem and attached star flowers.
Gulmohar: Etymology: Hindi गुलमोहर gulmohur, from Persian جعل gul rose, flower + مهر muhr seal, gold coin.
Gunge
Gunge
Gunge as it is known in the British Isles, or slime as it is known in America and other parts of the world is a thick, gooey, runny substance similar in consistency to paint. It has been a feature on many children's programmes for many years around the world and has made appearances in game shows...
: Etymology: Hindi गज gãj, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian گنج ganj treasure.
Gymkhana
Gymkhana
Gymkhana is a typical Anglo-Indian expression, which is derived from the Hindi-Urdu word for "racket court," is an Indian term which originally referred to a place where sporting events take place. The meaning then altered to denote a place where skill-based contests were held...
: Etymology: probably modification (influenced by English gymnasium) of Hindi गेंद-खाना gend-khana racket court, from Persian خانه khana house. a meet or festival featuring sports contests or athletic skills: as a: a horseback-riding meet featuring games and novelty contests (as musical chairs, potato spearing, bareback jumping).
H
Halalcor : Hindi हलालखोर halalkhor, from Persian, from Arabic حلال halal + Persian خور khor eating. a person in Iran and India to whom any food is lawful.
Havildar
Havildar
Havildar ) was the Military 'In Charge' of a Fort during the times of Maratha Empire. In the British Indian Army it was equivalent rank to Sergeant, next above Naik, and is still used in the modern Indian Army and Pakistan Army. The cavalry equivalent is Daffadar...
: Hindi हवालदार hawaldar, from Arabic حول 'hawala' charge + Persian در 'dar' having. a noncommissioned officer in the Indian army corresponding to a sergeant.
Hyleg
Hyleg
In Hellenistic astrology, the hyleg is the Persian-Arabic term for the planet with the greatest essential dignity in five important natal chart positions :* the degree of the Sun* the degree of the Moon* the Ascendant...
: modification of Persian حلاج hailaj 'material body'. The astrological position of the planets at the time of birth
, from Persian Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, derived from सिन्धु Sindhu, the Sanskrit name for the Indus River
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through China and India.Originating in the Tibetan plateau of western China in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region, the river runs a course through the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir and...
. literary language of northern India usually written in the Devanagari alphabet and one of the official languages of the Republic of India.
Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
: from medieval Persian word هندو Hindu (mod. هندی Hendi), from ancient Avestan hendava ultimately from Sanskrit सैन्धव saindhava. "Indian"
Hindustan
Hindustan
Hindustan or Indostan, literal translation "Land of River Sindhu ", is one of the popular names of South Asia. It can also mean "the land of the Hindus"...
: Hindi हिंदुस्तान Hindustan, from Persian هندوستان Hindustan (mod. هندوستان Hendustan) India.
Hircarrah : Persian هارکارا harkara, from har every, all (from Old Persian haruva-) + kaar work, deed, from Middle Persian, from Old Persian kar- to do, make.
Homa
Haoma
Haoma is the Avestan language name of a plant and its divinity, both of which play a role in Zoroastrian doctrine and in later Persian culture and mythology. The Middle Persian form of the name is hōm, which continues to be the name in Modern Persian and other living Iranian languages.Sacred haoma...
: hom from Persian هم hom, from Avestan haoma. a stylized tree pattern originating in Mesopotamia as a symbol of the tree of life and used especially in Persian textiles.
I
India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
: from Persian هند Hind, from Sanskrit सिन्धु Sindu, a river, in particular, the river Indus.
Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
: from Middle Persian ایر Ir (Ary) + ان an (plural suffix)
Ispaghol: literally, horse's ear, from اسپ asp horse (from Middle Persian) + قول ghol ear. an Old World plantain (Plantago ovata) with mucilaginous seeds that are used in preparing a beverage.
J
Jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
: from Persian شنگل shaghāl, ultimately from Sanskrit शृगाल sṛgālaḥ. Any of several doglike mammals of the genus Canis of Africa and southern Asia that are mainly foragers feeding on plants, small animals, and occasionally carrion.
Jagir
Jagir
In historic India, a jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service...
: from Persian جا Ja (place) + گیر gir (keeping, holding). a grant of the public revenues of a district in northern India or Pakistan to a person with power to collect and enjoy them and to administer the government in the district;
Jama : from Persian جامه Jama (garment). a long-sleeved cotton coat of at least knee length worn by men in northern India and Pakistan. Also used as suffix in the word Pajama.
Jasmine
Jasmine
Jasminum , commonly known as jasmines, is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family . It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World...
: from یاسمین yasmin, the name of a climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
Jemadar
Jemadar
Jemadar was a rank used in the British Indian Army, where it was the lowest rank for a Viceroy's Commissioned Officer . Jemadars either commanded platoons or troops themselves or assisted their British commander...
: Hindi जमा'दर, जामदार jama'dar, jam'dar (influenced in meaning by Persian جامءات jam'at body of troops), from Arabic جاما jam' collections, assemblage + Persian در dar having. an officer in the army of India having a rank corresponding to that of lieutenant in the English army. any of several police or other officials of the government of India.
Jasper
Jasper
Jasper, a form of chalcedony, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for...
: The name means "spotted or speckled stone", and is derived via Old French jasrpe (variant of Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman language
Anglo-Norman is the name traditionally given to the kind of Old Norman used in England and to some extent elsewhere in the British Isles during the Anglo-Norman period....
jaspe) and Latin iaspidem (nom. iaspis)) from Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
ἴασπις iaspis, (feminine noun) from a Semitic language
Semitic languages
The Semitic languages are a group of related languages whose living representatives are spoken by more than 270 million people across much of the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa...
(cf. Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
ישפה yashepheh, Akkadian
Akkadian language
Akkadian is an extinct Semitic language that was spoken in ancient Mesopotamia. The earliest attested Semitic language, it used the cuneiform writing system derived ultimately from ancient Sumerian, an unrelated language isolate...
ܝܫܦܗ yashupu), ultimately from Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
یشپ yašp.
Jezail
Jezail
The jezail was a simple, cost-efficient and often hand-made muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in British India, Central Asia and parts of the Middle East in the past.-Features:...
: Persian جزاءیل jaza'il. a long heavy Afghan rifle.
Jujube
Jujube
Ziziphus zizyphus , commonly called jujube , red date, Chinese date, Korean date, or Indian date is a species of Ziziphus in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae, used primarily as a fruiting shade tree.-Distribution:Its precise natural distribution is uncertain due to extensive cultivation,...
: Greek ζίζυφον zizyphon, Persian زایزافون zayzafun, an Asiatic tree with datelike fruit.
Julep : from گلاب gulab (rose(گل gul)-water(آب ab)).
K
Kabob : or kebab, possibly from Persian kabab کباب, or from identical forms in Arabic and Urdu
Kabuli : : Persian کابلی kabuli, of or belonging to Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
, Afghanistan.
Kaftan
Kaftan
A kaftan is a man's coat usually reaching to the ankles with long sleeves, and which buttons down the front. It can be made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton. It is often worn with a sash....
: from Persian خفتان khaftân.
Kajawah: from Persian کجاوه (Kajavah/Kajawah). a pannier used in pairs on camels and mules especially in India.
Kala-Azar: from Hindi कला kala (black) + Persian آذر āzār (disease, pain). a severe infectious disease chiefly of eastern and southern Asia that is marked by fever, progressive anemia, leukopenia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver and is caused by a flagellate (Leishmania donovani) which is transmitted by the bite of sand flies (genus Phlebotomus) and which proliferates in reticuloendothelial cells – called also visceral leishmaniasis.
Kamboh: Etymology: Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Kamboh as "a member of a low caste in the Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
engaged chiefly in agriculture". This definition of Webster for Kamboh is based on a Persian proverb
Proverb
A proverb is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim...
, reportedly of modern origin, according to which, the Afghan
Demographics of Afghanistan
The population of Afghanistan is around 29,835,392 as of the year 2011, which is unclear if the refugees living outside the country are included or not. The nation is composed of a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society, reflecting its location astride historic trade and invasion routes between...
s, the Kambohs and the Kashmiris
Kashmiri people
The Kashmiri people are a Dardic linguistic group living in Kashmir Valley in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the Pakistani territory of Azad Kashmir who speak the Kashmiri language...
are all rogues. This proverb, though very popular, also has several versions, across the length and breadth of the north-west region, some of which name the Sindi
Sindi, Maharashtra
Sindi is a city and a municipal council in Wardha district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Sindi is located at . It has an average elevation of 243 metres ....
s and/or the Jatts in place of Kambohs. According to H. Blochman, this proverb is of recent origin since it was indeed a matter of honour to belong to the Kamboh lineage during the reigns of Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
emperors like Akbar and Jahangir
Jahangir
Jahangir was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1605 until his death. The name Jahangir is from Persian جهانگیر,meaning "Conqueror of the World"...
etc. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Sayyid
Sayyid
Sayyid is an honorific title, it denotes males accepted as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husain ibn Ali, sons of the prophet's daughter Fatima Zahra and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.Daughters of sayyids are given the titles Sayyida,...
s and the Kambohs, from among the Indians, were specially favored for high civil and military positions during muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
rule in India.
- The Kambohs are modern representatives of ancient KambojasKambojasThe Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
(q.v.), a famous KshatriyaKshatriya*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
(warriorWarriorA warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
) clanClanA clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
of Indo-IranianIndo-IraniansIndo-Iranian peoples are a linguistic group consisting of the Indo-Aryan, Iranian, Dardic and Nuristani peoples; that is, speakers of Indo-Iranian languages, a major branch of the Indo-European language family....
affinities who find numerous references in ancient SanskritSanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and PaliPáli- External links :* *...
texts as well as in many ancient inscriptions, including those of king AshokaAshokaAshok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...
. - Numerous Indologists have connected name KambojaKambojasThe Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
to royal name CambysesCambysesCambyses can refer to two ancient rulers and two plays:-*Cambyses I, King of Anshan 600 to 559 BCE*Cambyses II, King of Persia 530 to 522 BCE*Cambyses, a tragedy by Thomas Preston...
or Kambujiya (q.v.) of the Old Persian Inscriptions.
- The Manusmriti, and Indian epicIndian epic poetryIndian epic poetry is the epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent, traditionally called Kavya . The Ramayana and Mahabharata, originally composed in Sanskrit and translated thereafter into many other Indian languages, are some of the oldest surviving epic poems on earth and form part of...
MahabharataMahabharataThe Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
etc. attest that the KambojasKambojasThe Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
, Sakas, Pahlavas etc were originally noble Kshatriyas, but on account of their defiance of BrahmanicalBrahmanaThe Brāhmaṇas are part of the Hindu śruti literature. They are commentaries on the four Vedas, detailing the proper performance of rituals....
authority and their refusal to follow HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
rituals & codes of conduct, these foreign conquerors were socially punished by the wrathful Brahmananical clergy who assigned them to a degenerate KshatriyaKshatriya*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
status (i.e. vrishaltam) in the Brahmanical casteCasteCaste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
system of India. Brahmanical text HarivamsaHarivamsaThe Harivamsha is an important work of Sanskrit literature, containing 16,374 verses, mostly in metre. The text is also known as . This text is believed as a khila to the Mahabharata and is traditionally ascribed to Krishna Dvaipayana Veda Vyasa...
and numerous PuranasPuranasThe Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.Puranas...
also attest that the KambojasKambojasThe Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
, Yavanas, Sakas, Pahlavas etc were originally high-class Kshatriyas, but it was VedicVedic periodThe Vedic period was a period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed. The time span of the period is uncertain. Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, was composed roughly between 1700–1100 BCE, also...
king SagaraSagara (Vedic king)King Sagara is one of the greatest kings of the Suryavansha in the Satya Yuga, also known as the Ikshvaku dynasty, he has two wives, one a princess of the Vidarbha, and the other from royal lineage of Sivi He was an ancestor to King Dasharatha and Lord Rama .-Birth of Ganga:King Sagara performed a...
, the ruler of KosalaKosalaKosala was an ancient Indian region, corresponding roughly in area with the region of Awadh in present day Uttar Pradesh. According to the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya and the Jaina text, the Bhagavati Sutra, Kosala was one of the Solasa Mahajanapadas in 6th century BCE and its cultural and...
, who had forbidden these invaders from performing "Svadhyayas" and "Vasatkaras" (Vedic rituals) and thereby, divested them off their noble Kshatriya status, because these Kshatriyas had wrested Kosala kingdom from his father, king Bahu. Harivamsa rather, describes these Kshatriya invaders as Kshatriya pungavas i, e foremost among the Kshatriyas. Bhishama Parava of MahabharataMahabharataThe Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
delineates the Kamboja lineageKinshipKinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent. And descent groups, lineages, etc. are treated in their own subsections....
as a very high lineage. Bombay Gazetteer maintains that the Kambojas etc lost their original high Kshatriya status because of their famed staunchness to BuddhismBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
over Brahmanism. Dr Romila Thapar maintains that the Kamboj etc clans lost their noble Kshatriya status because of their switching to republicRepublicA republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
an constitution. - A section of Kambojas or Kambohs ruled in Saurashtra, BengalBengalBengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, and also colonisedColonyIn politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
Sri LankaSri LankaSri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
& CambodiaCambodiaCambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. See: Kamboja Colonists of Sri Lanka & Kambojas and KambodiaKambojas and KambodiaThe name of Cambodia, in Khmer "Kampuchea" , derives from Sanskrit . It is not unique to the modern kingdom of Cambodia: the same name is also found in Burmese and Thai chronicles referring to regions within those kingdoms...
.
Karez
Kařez
Kařez is a village and municipality in Rokycany District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 570 ....
: Etymology: کارز kârez an underground irrigation tunnel bored horizontally into rock slopes in Baluchistan. a system of irrigation by underground tunnels.
Kemancha: Etymology: from Persian کمانچه Kamancheh. a violin popular in Middle East, Caucus and Central Asia. It has usually a single string and a gourd resonator and is held vertically when played.
Kerana
Kerana
Kerana is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.-References:*...
: Etymology: modification of Persian karranâi کرنای, from نی nâi, reed, reed pipe. a long Persian trumpet.
Kenaf
Kenaf
Kenaf [Etymology: Persian], Hibiscus cannabinus, is a plant in the Malvaceae family. Hibiscus cannabinus is in the genus Hibiscus and is probably native to southern Asia, though its exact natural origin is unknown. The name also applies to the fibre obtained from this plant...
: Etymology: Persian. a valuable fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus) of the East Indies now widespread in cultivation.
Khaki
Khaki
This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...
: from Hindustani
Hindustani language
Hindi-Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language and the lingua franca of North India and Pakistan. It is also known as Hindustani , and historically, as Hindavi or Rekhta...
and Urdu ख़ाकी/خاکی khaki (="made from soil", "dusty" or "of the colour of soil"), from Persian خاک khak (= "soil")
Khakhsar : Etymology: Hindi खाकसार khâksâr, from Persian khâkâsr خاکسار humble, probably from khâk dust + -sâr like. a member of a militant Muslim nationalist movement of India.
Khan: Arabic خان khân, from Persian. (not to be confused by the Turko-Mongol Khan). a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries.
Khankah: Etymology: Hindi खानकाह khânaqâh, from Persian خانه khâna house + گاه gâh place.
Khidmatgar: from Arabic خدمة khidmah service + Persian گر -gar (suffix denoting possession or agency). In India: a male waiter
Khoja
Khoja
The Khojas are ethnic group of Shia Muslims. The word Khoja derives from Khwaja, a Persian title .In Pakistan, many Khojas migrated to and settled in the province of Sindh and especially in the city of Karachi. While in India, most Khojas live in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and...
: Etymology: originally from Persian khâwja خواجه. used as a title of respect.
Khuskhus: Etymology: Persian & Hindi खसखस/خسخس khaskhas. an aromatic grass (Andropogon zizamoides) whose especially fragrant roots yield an oil used in perfumery and are also made into mats in tropical India – called also vetiver.
Kincob: Etymology: Hindi किमखाब, कमख्वाब kimkhab, kamkhwab, from Persian. an Indian brocade usually of gold or silver or both.
Kiosk
Kiosk
Kiosk is a small, separated garden pavilion open on some or all sides. Kiosks were common in Persia, India, Pakistan, and in the Ottoman Empire from the 13th century onward...
: from کوشک kushk (="palace, portico, pavilion") or Middle Persian gōšak "corner"
Koftgari: Hindi कोफ्त्गर koftgar, from Persian کوفتگری koftgari, from کوفت koft blow, beating + گر -gar doing. Indian damascene work in which steel is inlaid with gold.
Koh-i-noor
Koh-i-Noor
The Kōh-i Nūr which means "Mountain of Light" in Persian, also spelled Koh-i-noor, Koh-e Noor or Koh-i-Nur, is a 105 carat diamond that was once the largest known diamond in the world. The Kōh-i Nūr originated in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India along with its double, the Darya-ye Noor...
: from Pers. koh کوه "mountain" نور Noor (light)." famous diamond that became part of the British crown jewels after the annexation of Punjab by Great Britain in 1849, from Persian کوہ نور Kh-i-nr, literally, mountain of light
Kotwal
Kotwal
Kotwal was a title used in medieval India for the leader of a Kot or fort. Kotwals often controlled the fort of a major town or an area of smaller towns on behalf of another ruler. It was similar in function to a British India Zaildar From Mughal times the title was given to the local ruler of a...
: Hindi कोतवाल kotwal, from Persian. a chief police officer or town magistrate in India.
Kotwalee: Hindi कोतवाल kotwal, from Persian, from کوتوله kotwalee. a police station in India.
Kran
KRAN
KHNA is a radio station licensed to serve Wamsutter, Wyoming, USA. The station, established in 2009, is currently owned by White Park Broadcasting, Inc.-History:...
: Persian قران qran. the basic monetary unit of Persia from 1826 to 1932. a silver coin representing one kran.
Kurta
Kurta
A kurta is a traditional item of clothing worn in Afghanistan, Pakistan , Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is a loose shirt falling either just above or somewhere below the knees of the wearer, and is worn by both men and women...
: Hindi & Urdu कुरता کُرتا kurta, from Persian کرتا kurtâ. a loose-fitting collarless shirt.
Kusti
Kushti
Kushti is the sacred girdle worn by Zoroastrians around their waists. Along with the Sedreh, the Kushti is part of the ritual dress of the Zoroastrians....
: Persian کستی، کشتی kusti, kushti, from کشت kusht waist, side, from Middle Persian کست، کوستک kust, kustak. the sacred cord or girdle worn by Parsis as a mark of their faith – compare.
L
Lac
Lac
Lac is the scarlet resinous secretion of a number of species of insects, namely some of the species of the genera Metatachardia, Laccifer, Tachordiella, Austrotacharidia, Afrotachardina, and Tachardina of the superfamily Coccoidea, of which the most commonly cultivated species is Kerria lacca.The...
: Persian لک lak and Hindi लाख lakh. Resinous substance secreted by the lac insect and used chiefly in the form of shellac. Any of various plant or animal substances that yield hard coatings resembling lac and shellac.
Lamasery: French lamaserie, from lama + -serie (from Persian سرای sarāi palace, large house).
Larin
Larin
Larin may refer to:*Liz Larin, Detroit-based singer-songwriter*Rafael Menjívar Larín, Salvadoran economist and politician *Sergei Larin, Kazakh professional footballer*Vladimir Larin, Soviet/Russian geologist*Sergejus Larinas, Latvian-Russian opera singer...
: Etymology: Persian لاری lārī. a piece of silver wire doubled over and sometimes twisted into the form of a fishhook that was formerly used as money in parts of Asia.
Lascar: Urdu lashkarī < Pers, equiv. to لاسخار lashkar army + -ī suffix of appurtenance]. an East Indian sailor. Anglo-Indian. an artilleryman.
Lasque: Etymology: perhaps from Persian لاشک lashk bit, piece. a flat thin diamond usually cut from an inferior stone and used especially in Hindu work.
Leucothoe
Leucothoe (plant)
Leucothoe is a genus of about 45 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to Asia, the Americas and Madagascar.They are shrubs growing to 1-3 m tall, either deciduous or evergreen depending on species. The leaves are alternate, oblong-lanceolate, 2-15 cm long...
: legendary Persian princess supposed to have been changed by Apollo into a sweet-scented shrub. a large genus of American and Asiatic shrubs of the family Ericaceae with herbage that contains a poisonous substance similar to that found in shrubs of the genus Kalmia and with flowers in terminal and axillary one-sided racemes.
Lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
: Origin: 1350–1400; 1905–10 for def. 4; < ML lemōnium; r. ME lymon < ML līmō, (s. līmōn-) < Pers لیمو، لیمون līmū, līmun. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. the yellowish, acid fruit of a subtropical citrus tree, Citrus limon. According to www.dictionary.com: Although we know neither where the lemon was first grown nor when it first came to Europe, we know from its name that it came to us from the Middle East because we can trace its etymological path. One of the earliest occurrences of our word is found in a Middle English customs document of 1420–1421. The Middle English word limon goes back to Old French limon, showing that yet another delicacy passed into England through France. The Old French word probably came from Italian limone, another step on the route that leads back to the Arabic word ليمون، ليمون laymūn or līmūn, which comes from the Persian word لیمون līmūn.
Lilac
Lilac
Syringa is a genus of about 20–25 species of flowering woody plants in the olive family , native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and widely and commonly cultivated in temperate areas elsewhere....
: from Pers. لیلک lilak, variant of نیلک nilak "bluish," from नील nil "indigo"
Lungī
Lungi
The Lungi , also known as a sarong , is a traditional garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
: Hindi लुंगी lungī, from Persian. a usually cotton cloth used especially in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Burma for articles of clothing (as sarongs, skirts, and turbans).
Laari
Maldivian laari
The laari is a coin denomination issued by the Maldives as the subdenomiation of the Maldivian rufiyaa since 1960. One rufiyaa is equal to 100 laari...
: Etymology: probably from Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands) ލާރި, from Persian ا lr piece of silver wire used as currency, from Lārī, town in S Persia where the currency was first minted. a Maldivian monetary unit equal to 1/100 rufiyaa. a coin representing one laari.
M
Magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
: Middle English magik, from Middle French magique, from Latin magicus, from Greek magikos (μαγικός), from magos magus, wizard, sorcerer (of Iranian origin; akin to Old Persian magush sorcerer). of or relating to the occult: supposedly having supernatural properties or powers.
Magus, magi
Magi
Magi is a term, used since at least the 4th century BC, to denote a follower of Zoroaster, or rather, a follower of what the Hellenistic world associated Zoroaster with, which...
: from magus, from Old Persian maguš "mighty one", Priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of Zoroastrianism. A member of the Zoroastrian priestly caste of the Medes and Persians. Magus In the New Testament, one of the wise men from the East, traditionally held to be three, who traveled to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus.
Malguzar : Hindi मालगुजार malguzar, from Arabic مال mal property, rent + Persian گزار guzar payer. Equivalent to Malik in India.
Manichean: Latin Manichaeus member of the Manichean sect (from Late Greek Μανιχαίος Manichaios, from Manichaios Manes died ab276A.D. Persian sage who founded the sect) + English -an. of or relating to Manichaeism or the Manichaeans. characterized by or reflecting belief in Manichaeism. Manicheanism was founded by Mani
Mani (prophet)
Mani , of Iranian origin was the prophet and the founder of Manichaeism, a gnostic religion of Late Antiquity which was once widespread but is now extinct...
.
Manticore
Manticore
The manticore is a legendary creature similar to the Egyptian sphinx. It has the body of a red lion, a human head with three rows of sharp teeth , and a trumpet-like voice. Other aspects of the creature vary from story to story. It may be horned, winged, or both...
: from O. Pers. word for "man eater," cf. مارتی martiya- "man" + root of خور khvar- "to eat". a legendary animal having the head of a man often with horns, the body of a lion, and the tail of a dragon or scorpion.
Markhor
Markhor
The Markhor is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan, Pakistan , India, southern Tajikistan and southern Uzbekistan...
: Persian مار mār(snake)+خور khōr(eating), consuming (from khōrdan to eat, consume). a wild goat (Capra falconieri) of mountainous regions from Afghanistan to India.
Mazdak
Mazdak
Mazdak was a proto-socialist Persian reformer and religious activist who gained influence under the reign of the Sassanian Shahanshah Kavadh I...
: Name of Persian reformer of Zoroastrian Faith.
Mazdakite: from مزدک Mazdak (of belonging to Mazda), 5th century A.D. Persian religious reformer + English ite. a member of the sect of Mazdak
Mazdak
Mazdak was a proto-socialist Persian reformer and religious activist who gained influence under the reign of the Sassanian Shahanshah Kavadh I...
.
Mazdoor
Mazdoor
Mazdoor is a 1983 Hindi film. Produced by B. R. Chopra it is directed by his son Ravi Chopra. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Raj Babbar, Suresh Oberoi, Nanda, Rati Agnihotri, Iftekhar, Madan Puri and Johhny Walker. The music of the film is by R. D. Burman...
: Hindi मजदूर mazdur, from Persian مزدور muzdur. an Indian laborer.
Mehmandar: Persian مهماندار mihmāndār, from میهمان mihmān guest (from Middle Persian مهمان mehmān) + در -dār holder. an official in India, Persia, or Afghanistan appointed to escort an ambassador or traveler.
Mehtar
Mehtar
Mehtar is a Persian word meaning "Mighty" and was used in several ancient area of Pakistan to denote the local ruler. It is the title of the ruler of the former State of Chitral....
: Persian محتر mihtar prince, greater, elder, from mih great (from Middle Persian meh, mas) + -tar, comparative suffix (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian -tara-). A groom
Mesua
Mesua
Mesua is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Calophyllaceae, native to tropical southern Asia. Common names include ironwood and rose chestnut....
: New Latin, from Johannes Mesuë (Arabic يوحنا بن ماسويه Yuhanna ibn-Masawayah) died 857 Persian Christian physician Masawayah in the service of the Caliph. a genus of tropical Asiatic trees (family Guttiferae) having large solitary flowers with a 2-celled ovary.
Mezereon: Middle English mizerion, from Medieval Latin mezereon, from Arabic مزارعين mazariyun, from Persian کشاورزان. a small European shrub (Daphne mezereum) with fragrant lilac purple flowers that appear before the leaves, an acrid bark used in medicine, and a scarlet fruit sometimes used as an adulterant of black pepper.
Mirza
Mirza
Mirza , is of Persian origin, denoting the rank of a high nobleman or Prince. It is usually translated into English as a royal or imperial Prince of the Blood...
: Persian میرزا mirza, literally, son of a lord. a common title of honor in Persia prefixed to the surname of a person of distinction.
Mithra
Mithra
Mithra is the Zoroastrian divinity of covenant and oath. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing protector of Truth, and the guardian of cattle, the harvest and of The Waters....
: from the name of the Persian God Mithra.
Mithraeum
Mithraeum
A Mithraeum is a place of worship for the followers of the mystery religion of Mithraism.The Mithraeum was either an adapted natural cave or cavern or an artificial building imitating a cavern. Mithraea were dark and windowless, even if they were not actually in a subterranean space or in a natural...
: from Persian مطهرا Mithra
Mithraism
Mithraism
The Mithraic Mysteries were a mystery religion practised in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to 4th centuries AD. The name of the Persian god Mithra, adapted into Greek as Mithras, was linked to a new and distinctive imagery...
: from Persian مطهرا Mithra
Mobed: a Parsi priest. The word is cognate with Magian and Magus.
Mogul
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
: from مغول mughul (="Mongolian")
Mohur
Mohur
A Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments including British India , the Moghul Empire, Nepal, and Afghanistan. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupees. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until...
: Hindi मुहर muhur, muhr gold coin, seal, from Persian مهر muhr; an old gold coin of the Moguls that circulated in India from the 16th century. any one of several gold coins formerly issued by Indian states (as Bikaner, Gwalior, Hyderabad) and by Nepal and Tibet.
Mummy
Mummy
A mummy is a body, human or animal, whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or incidental exposure to chemicals, extreme coldness , very low humidity, or lack of air when bodies are submerged in bogs, so that the recovered body will not decay further if kept in cool and dry...
: Middle English mummie, from Middle French momie, from Medieval Latin mumia, from Arabic موميياه mumiyah mummy, bitumen, from Persian موم mum wax. a concoction formerly used as a medicament or drug containing powdered parts of a human or animal body.
Murra
Murra
Murra is a municipality in the Nueva Segovia Department of Nicaragua.Murra is a small municipal head in the department of Nueva Segovia. The tiny pueblo has a population of approximately 1,000 inhabitants and is made up of four barrios squeezed into a narrow valley high in the mountains...
: Etymology: Latin, probably of Iranian origin like Greek μόρρηία μὖρρα morrhia murra; akin to Persian مری mori, muri little glass ball. a material thought to be of semiprecious stone or porcelain used to make costly vessels in ancient Rome.
Musk
Musk
Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a...
: from Middle English muske, Middle French musc, Late Latin Muscus, and Late Greek (moschos), ultimately from Middle Persian مسک musk, from Sanskrit मुस्कस् muska (="testicle") from diminutive of मुस mus (="mouse"). a substance that has a penetrating
persistent odor, that is obtained from a sac situated under the skin of the abdomen of the male musk deer, that when fresh in the pods is brown and unctuous and when dried is a grainy powder, that varies in quality according to the season and age of the animal, and that is used chiefly in the form of a tincture as a fixative in perfumes
Musth
Musth
Musth or must is a periodic condition in bull elephants, characterized by highly aggressive behavior, accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones - testosterone levels in an elephant in musth can be as much as 60 times greater than in the same elephant at other times...
: Hindi मस्त mast intoxicated, ruttish, from Persian ماست mast; akin to Sanskrit मदति madati he rejoices, is drunk. a periodic state of murderous frenzy of the bull elephant usually connected with the rutting season and marked by the exudation of a dark brown odorous ichor from tiny holes above the eyes- on must also in must: in a state of belligerent fury – used of the bull elephant.
Mussulman
Musulman
Musulman is a synonym for Muslim. This term is modified from Arabic. It is the origin of the Spanish word musulmán, the Portuguese word muçulmano and the Greek word μουσουλμάνος...
: from Persinan مسلمان musulman (adj.), from Arabic مسلم Muslim (q.v.) + Persian adj. suffix -an.
N
Naan
Naan
Naan is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread. It is typical of and popular in South and Central Asia, in Iran, and in South Asian restaurants abroad. Influenced by the large influx of South Asian labour, naan has also become popular in Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf states.Originally, naan is a...
: Etymology: Hindi + Urdu + Punjabi + Persian नान/نان/ ਨਾਨ/نان nan bread; Hindi + Urdu nan, from Persian nan; akin to Baluchi nayan bread, Sogdian nyny. a round or oblong flat leavened bread especially of the Indian subcontinent.
Nakhuda
Nakhuda
Nākhudā is a term originating from the Persian language literally meaning Captain...
: Etymology: Persian ناخدا nākhudā, from ناو nāv boat (from Old Persian) + خدا khudā master, from Middle Persian khutāi. a master of a native vessel.
Namaz : Etymology: Persian نماز namāz. akin to Sanskrit नमस् namas obeisance. Islamic worship or prayer.
Naphtha
Naphtha
Naphtha normally refers to a number of different flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons, i.e., a component of natural gas condensate or a distillation product from petroleum, coal tar or peat boiling in a certain range and containing certain hydrocarbons. It is a broad term covering among the...
: Latin, from Greek: Νάφθα, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan napta moist, Persian neft naphtha; from Persian naft "naphtha". perhaps akin to Greek nephos cloud, mist. petroleum especially when occurring in any of its more volatile varieties.
Nargil: Origin: 1830–40; < Turk nargile < Pers نارگیله nārgīleh, deriv. of نارگیل nārgīl coconut, from which the bowl was formerly made.
Nauruz
Nowruz
Nowrūz is the name of the Iranian New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year....
: Persian نوروز nauruz. literally, new day, from nau new + ruz. the Persian New Year's Day celebrated at the vernal equinox as a day of great festivity.
Nay
Ney
The ney is an end-blown flute that figures prominently in Middle Eastern music. In some of these musical traditions, it is the only wind instrument used. It is a very ancient instrument, with depictions of ney players appearing in wall paintings in the Egyptian pyramids and actual neys being found...
: Etymology: Arabic ناي nay, from Persian: نی. a vertical end-blown flute of ancient origin used in Muslim lands.
Neftgil: Etymology: German, from Persian نفتداگیل نفتها naftdagil naphtha clay
Numdah: Etymology: Hindi नंदा namda, from Persian نماد namad, from Middle Persian نامت namat; akin to Avestan namata. a thick felted rug of India and Persia usually made of pounded goat's hair and embroidered with bird or floral designs in colored wool yarn
Nuristani: Etymology: Persian nuristan نورستان (Parsi نور Noorr+Persian عشتا Istan(Place)), from Nuristan, region of northeastern Afghanistan.
O
Orange
Orange (word)
The word orange is both a noun and an adjective in the English language. In both cases, it refers primarily to the orange fruit and the colour orange, but has many other derivative meanings....
: from Milanese narans (via Old French orenge, Italian arancia, and Spanish naranja), from Medieval Latin pomum de orange, from Arabic نارنج nāranj, from Persian نارنگ nārang, from Sanskrit नारङ्ग nāraṅga, from some Dravidian language, possibly Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
or Malayalam
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
P
Padishah
Padishah
Padishah, Padshah, Padeshah, Badishah or Badshah is a superlative royal title, composed of the Persian pād "master" and the widespread shāh "king", which was adopted by several monarchs claiming the highest rank, roughly equivalent to the ancient Persian notion of "The Great" or "Great King", and...
: Origin: 1605–15; < Pers (poetical form), equiv. to پدی pādi- (earlier پاتی pati) lord + شاه shāh. More on Etymology: Persian پادشاه pādishah, from Middle Persian پاتاخشاه pātakhshah, from Old Persian پاتی pati + کشی xshay- to rule; akin to Avestan xshayeti. great king; emperor (a title applied esp. formerly to the shah of Iran, the sultan of Turkey, and to the British sovereign as emperor in India).
Pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
: via Portuguese pagode, from a corruption of Pers. بتکده butkada, from but "idol" + kada "dwelling."
Pahlavi : Etymology: Middle Persian Pahlavi. The Middle Persian language of Sassanid Persia. a script used for writing Pahlavi and other Middle Iranian languages.
Pajama: from Urdu/Hindi पैजामा paajaama, from Persian پايجامه pāë (pāÿ) jāmah, from pAy (="leg") + jAma (="garment"). of, pertaining to, or resembling pajamas: a pajama top; a lounging outfit with pajama pants
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
: From پاکستان; the Persian word of "Land of the Pure"
Paneer
Paneer
Paneer is a fresh cheese common in South Asian cuisine. It is of Indian origin. In eastern parts of India, it is generally called Chhena...
: Hindi & Urdu पनीर/پنیر panir, from Persian پنير panir (general term meaning Cheese). a soft uncured Indian cheese.
Papoosh: earlier papouch, from French, from Persian پاپوش pāpush. BABOUCHE.
Para
Para (currency)
The para was a former currency of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Montenegro and Albania, and is the current subunit, although rarely used, of the Serbian dinar....
: Etymology: Turkish, from Persian پاره pārah. a Turkish monetary unit equal in modern Turkey to 1/4000 of a lira. any one of several units of value formerly used in countries at one time under the Turkish Empire.
Paradise
Paradise
Paradise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. It is conceptually a counter-image of the miseries of human civilization, and in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, but it is not necessarily a land of luxury and...
: via French: "paradis" and Latin: "paradisus," from Greek paradeisos (παράδεισος) (=enclosed park"), from the Avestan word pairidaeza (a walled enclosure), which is a compound of pairi- (around), a cognate of the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
peri-, and -diz (to create, make), a cognate of the English dough. An associated word is the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word paradesha which literally means supreme country.
Parasang
Parasang
The parasang is a historical Iranian unit of itinerant distance comparable to the European league.In antiquity, the term was used throughout much of the Middle East, and the Old Iranian language from which it derives can no longer be determined...
: Latin parasanga, from Greek Παρασάγγης parasanges, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian farsung (فرسنگ) parasang
- any of various Persian units of distance; especially: an ancient unit of about four miles (six kilometers)
Pargana
Pargana
A pargana is a former administrative unit of the Indian subcontinent, used primarily, but not exclusively, by the Muslim kingdoms.Parganas were introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, and the word is of Persian origin. As a revenue unit, a pargana consists of several mouzas, which are the smallest...
: Etymology: Hindi परंगा pargana, from Persian. a group of towns in India constituting an administrative subdivision of the zillah.
Parsee : Etymology: from O.Pers. 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎡 parsi "Persian." In M.E., Parsees from پارسی Pârsi. Meaning Persian. Also Zoroastrian of India descended from Persian refugees fleeing Islam in the 7th century and settling principally at Bombay
Pasar: : Malay, from Persian بازار bāzār. See bazar. an Indonesian public market.
Pasha
Pasha
Pasha or pascha, formerly bashaw, was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire political system, typically granted to governors, generals and dignitaries. As an honorary title, Pasha, in one of its various ranks, is equivalent to the British title of Lord, and was also one of the highest titles in...
: Turkish paşa possibly from Persian پادشاه pādshāh; see Padishah.
Pashm : Etymology: pashm, pashim from Persian پشم pashm wool; pashmina from Persian pashmn woolen, from pashm. the under fleece of upland goats of Kashmir and the Punjab that was formerly used locally for the production of rugs and shawls but is now largely exported.
Pashmina
Pashmina
Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it. The name comes from Pashmineh , made from Persian pashm . The wool comes from changthangi or pashmina goat, which is a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Pakistan and northern...
: from Pashmineh, made from پشم pashm; pashm (= "wool"). the fine woolly underhair of goats raised in northern India.
, from Afghan. According to Morgenstein the word is akin to Parthava, Persian, Pahlav. The Iranian language of Pathan people and the chief vernacular of eastern Afghanistan, North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, and northern Baluchistan
Peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
: a corruption of the Latin word "Persicum." Peaches are called in Latin malum Persicum (Persian apple) prunum persicum (Persian plum), or simply persicum (pl. persici). This should not be confused with the more modern Linnaean
Carolus Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus , also known after his ennoblement as , was a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of binomial nomenclature. He is known as the father of modern taxonomy, and is also considered one of the fathers of modern ecology...
classification Prunus persica, a neologism describing the peach tree itself (from the Latin prunus, -i which signifies "plum
Plum
A plum or gage is a stone fruit tree in the genus Prunus, subgenus Prunus. The subgenus is distinguished from other subgenera in the shoots having a terminal bud and solitary side buds , the flowers in groups of one to five together on short stems, and the fruit having a groove running down one...
tree").
Percale
Percale
Percale or Percalcos is a closely woven plain-weave fabric often used for bed covers.The term describes the weave of the fabric, not its content, so percale could be a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, 100% cotton, or a blend of other fabrics in any ratio...
: Persian پرگاله pargālah. a firm smooth cotton cloth closely woven in plain weave and variously finished for clothing, sheeting, and industrial uses.
Percaline: French, from percale (from Persian پرگاله pargālah) + -ine. a lightweight cotton fabric made in plain weave, given various finishes (as glazing, moiré), and used especially for clothing and linings; especially: a glossy fabric usually of one color used for bookbindings.
Peri
Peri
In Persian mythology, which constitutes the mythology of not just Persians but all Iranian peoples, peris are descended from fallen angels who have been denied paradise until they have done penance. In earlier sources they are described as agents of evil; later, they are benevolent...
: Persian پري (peri) or fairy, genius, from Middle Persian parik. Persian folklore: a male or female supernatural being like an elf or fairy but formed of fire, descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until penance is accomplished, and originally regarded as evil but later as benevolent and beautiful. Also a beautiful and graceful girl or woman.
Persepolis
Persepolis
Perspolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire . Persepolis is situated northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid...
: from 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa+ Greek πόλεις polis.
Persia: via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa
Persis : via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa
Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
: Hindi & Marathi पेशवा pesva, from Persian پشه peshwa leader, guide, from pesh before. the chief minister of a Maratha prince.
Pilaf
Pilaf
Pilaf is a dish in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth . In some cases, the rice may also attain its brown color by being stirred with bits of cooked onion, as well as a large mix of spices...
Origin: 1925–30; < Turk pilâv < Pers پلو pilāw. a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish.
Pir
Pir (Sufism)
Pir or Peer is a title for a Sufi master equally used in the nath tradition. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. The title is often translated into English as "saint" and could be interpreted as "Elder". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his...
: Etymology: Persian پیر Pir (Old Man). a religious instructor, esp. in mystical sects.
Pistachio
Pistachio
The pistachio, Pistacia vera in the Anacardiaceae family, is a small tree originally from Persia , which now can also be found in regions of Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Sicily and possibly Afghanistan , as well as in the United States,...
: from Latin pistācium, from Greek πιστάκιον, from Persian پسته pistah. small tree (Pistacia vera) of southern Europe and Asia Minor having leaves with 3 to 5 broad leaflets, greenish brown paniculate flowers, and a large fruit. the edible green seed of the pistachio tree.
Posteen: Persian pustin of leather, from pust skin, from Middle Persian. an Afghan pelisse made of leather with the fleece on.
Popinjay
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
: from O.Fr. papegai (12c.), from Sp. papagayo, from Ar. باباغا babagha', from Pers. ببقا babgha "parrot,"
Prophet Flower: translation of Persian گلی پیغمبر guli paighmbar flower of the Prophet (Muhammad died A.D.632 Arabian prophet and founder of Islam). an East Indian perennial herb (Arnebia echioides) having yellow flowers marked with five spots that fade after a few hours; also: a related annual
Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
: via Hindi Panjab, from Pers. پنج panj "five" + آب ab "water.". of or relating to the Punjab or its inhabitants.
Purwannah: Hindi परवाना parwana, from Persian: پرونه. a written pass or permit.
Pyke
Pyke
Pyke is a surname, and may refer toFictional characters*George Alexander Pyke, Lord Tilbury, character devised by PG WodehouseReal people*Don Pyke , Australian rules footballer...
: Hindi पायिक, पायक pāyik, pāyak messenger, from Persian dialect England: a civilian at whose expense a soldier is treated or entertained.
Pyjama: Urdu/Hindi पैजामा pajama from Persian: پاجامہ (pajama, literally, feet-garments). These are loose lightweight trousers formerly often worn in the Near East, a loose usually two-piece lightweight suit designed especially for sleeping or lounging.
R
Rank : from Persian رنگ rang meaning "color", as the Sassanid army was ranked and dressed by color
roc : from Persian رخ rukh (name of a legendary bird)
rook
Rook (chess)
A rook is a piece in the strategy board game of chess. Formerly the piece was called the castle, tower, marquess, rector, and comes...
: from Middle English rok, from Middle French roc, from Arabic روخ rukh, from Persian رخ rukh (=chess piece)
rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
: from Latin rosa, probably from ancient Greek ῥόδον rhodon, possibly ult. from Pers. وارده *varda-.
roxanne : fem. proper name, from Fr. Roxane, from L. Roxane, from Gk. Ρωξάνη Rhoxane, of Pers. origin (cf. Avestan راوُخشنه raoxšna- "shining, bright").
S
Sabzi
Sabzi
- Etymology and linguistic definitions :Sabzi is a Persian word derived from the root word "sabz", pronunced , which means green. The "i" added to Persian color names will imply a lot of something which has that specific color...
: Etymology: Hindi सब्ज़ sabz, literally, greenness, from Persian: سَبز sæbz, a green vegetable.
Saffian: Etymology: Russian сафьян saf'yan, from Turkish sahtiyan, from Persian ساختین sakhtiyn goatskin, from sakht hard, strong. a leather made of goatskins or sheepskins tanned with sumac and dyed with bright colors.
Samosa
Samosa
A samosa is a stuffed, deep fried,snack that is very popular in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Southwest Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, North Africa and South Africa...
: Etymology: Hindi समोसा samosa from Persian سمبوسه sambusa. a small triangular pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables and fried in ghee or oil
Sandal
Sandal (footwear)
Sandals are an open type of outdoor footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps passing over the instep and, sometimes, around the ankle...
: Etymology: Arabic صندل sandal, from Persian صندل sandal skiff.
Saoshyant
Saoshyant
Saoshyant is a figure of Zoroastrian eschatology who brings about the final renovation of the world, the Frashokereti. The Avestan language name literally means "one who brings benefit," and is also used as common noun.-In scripture:...
: Etymology: Avestan, savior. one of three deliverers of later Zoroastrian eschatology appearing at thousand year intervals and each inaugurating a new order of things and a special period of human progress.
Sapindales
Sapindales
Sapindales is a botanical name for an order of flowering plants. Well-known members of Sapindales include citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem....
: from Persian Spand (اسپند)
Sarangousty: Etymology: Persian سر-انگشتی sar-angushti thin paste for painting the tips of fingers, from ساری انگشت sari angusht fingertip, from سر sar head + انگشت angusht finger, toe. stucco made waterproof for protection against dampness.
Sard
SARD
is a Japanese tuning company and racing team from Toyota, Aichi, mainly competing in the Super GT series and specialising in Toyota tuning parts.-History:...
from Persian زرد Zard.
Sarod
Sarod
The sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan...
: Etymology: Hindi सरोद sarod, from Persian: سرود.
Sarwan: Etymology: Persian ساربان saarbaan. a camel driver.
Satrap
Satrap
Satrap was the name given to the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as the Sassanid Empire and the Hellenistic empires....
: governor of a province of ancient Persia, from Latin satrapes, from Greek σατράπης satrapes, from Old Persian 𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎱𐎠𐎺𐎠 kshathrapavan-, lit. "guardian of the realm,"
scarlet
Scarlet (cloth)
Scarlet was a type of fine and expensive woollen cloth common in Medieval England.The name derives from the Latin scarlata, from the Arabic siqillat "fine cloth" and that again from the Persian saqirlat. The weaving technique also had its origin in Central Asia, and made the cloth elastic by...
: from Pers. سقلات saqalat "a type of red cloth". a rich cloth of bright color. a vivid red that is yellower and slightly paler than apple red
Scimitar
Scimitar
A scimitar is a backsword or sabre with a curved blade, originating in Southwest Asia .The Arabic term saif translates to "sword" in general, but is normally taken to refer to the scimitar type of curved backsword in particular.The curved sword or "scimitar" was widespread throughout the Muslim...
: Etymology: Middle French cimeterre, from Old Italian scimitarra, perhaps from Persian شمشیر shamshir. a type of blade.
Sebesten: Etymology: Middle English, Medieval Latin sebestēn, from Arabic سيبيستين sibistn, from Persian سگپیستان segpistan. an East Indian tree (Cordia myxa) with white flowers in loose terminal panicles.
Seer
Seer (unit)
A Seer is an obsolete unit of mass and volume that was used in parts of Asia.-India:In India, the seer was defined by the Standards of Weights and Measures Act as being exactly equal to 0.93310 kg...
: Etymology: Hindi सेर ser; perhaps akin to Persian سیر seer. a unit of weight.
Seerpaw: Etymology: سر Sar(head)+پا paa(feet). head to foot.
Seersucker
Seersucker
Seersucker is a thin, puckered, all-cotton fabric, commonly striped or checkered, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear. The word came into English from Hindustani , which originates from the Persian words "shir o shekar", meaning "milk and sugar", probably from the resemblance of its...
: Pers. شیر و سکر shir o shakkar "striped cloth," lit. "milk and sugar". Also from Sanskrit क्षीरशर्करा (kshirsharkara), or milk-sugar."
Sepoy
Sepoy
A sepoy was formerly the designation given to an Indian soldier in the service of a European power. In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army it remains in use for the rank of private soldier.-Etymology and Historical usage:...
: Etymology: modification of Portuguese sipai, sipaio, from Hindi सिपाह sipah, from Persian سپاهی Sipahi
Sipahi
Sipahi was the name of several Ottoman cavalry corps...
, horseman, soldier of the cavalry, from sipah army. a native of India employed as a soldier in the service of a European power; especially: one serving in the British army.
Serai: Etymology: from Persian سرای saraay, palace, mansion, inn.
Seraglio
Seraglio
A seraglio or serail is the sequestered living quarters used by wives and concubines in a Turkish household. The word comes from an Italian variant of Turkish saray, from Persian sarai , meaning palace, or the enclosed courts for the wives and concubines of the harem of a house or palace...
: from سرای sarây "inn"
Serang
Serang
Serang is a regency of Banten province, Indonesia. The administrative center of the regency and the capital of the province is the independent municipality of Serang...
: Etymology: Persian سرهنگ sarhang commander, boatswain, from سر sar chief + هنگ hang authority. boatswain. the skipper of a small boat.
Serdab
Serdab
A serdab , literally meaning "cold water", which became a loan word in Persian for 'cellar') is an ancient Egyptian tomb structure that served as a chamber for the Ka statue of a deceased individual. Used during the Old Kingdom, the serdab was a sealed chamber with a small slit or hole to allow the...
: Persian سرداب sardab ice cellar, from سرد sard cold + آب ab water. a living room in the basement of a house in the Near East that provides coolness during the summer months
Serendipity
Serendipity
Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it. The word has been voted as one of the ten English words hardest to translate in June 2004 by a British translation company. However, due to its...
: from the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip سه شاهزادهى سرانديپ, from Persian Sarandip سرانديپ(="Sri Lanka"),
Sesban: Etymology: French, from Arabic سيسبان saisabaan, from Persian سیسبان sisabaan. Either of two East Indian plants of the genus Sesbania (S. aculeata and S. aegyptiaca).
Setwall: Etymology: from Persian زادور zaadwar.
Shabundar/Shabandar: Etymology: From Persian شهباندار shahbandar, from شاه shah King + بندر bandar city, harbor.
Shah
Shah
Shāh is the title of the ruler of certain Southwest Asian and Central Asian countries, especially Persia , and derives from the Persian word shah, meaning "king".-History:...
: Etymology: from شاه shāh, from Old Persian 𐏋 χšāyaþiya (="king"), from an Old Persian verb meaning "to rule"
Shahi
Shahi
The Shahi , Sahi, also called Shahiya dynasties ruled one of the Middle kingdoms of India which included portions of the Kabulistan and the old province of Gandhara , from the decline of the Kushan Empire in the 3rd century to the early 9th century...
: Etymology: Persian شاهی shahi. a former Persian unit of value equal to 1/20 silver kran; also: a corresponding coin of silver or copper or nickel
Shahidi
Shahidi
Shahidi is a common surname in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Like the given name Shahid, it is a Muslim theophoric name, from Ash-Shaheed , one of the 99 names of God in the Qur'an. It is derived from the Arabic word for witness or martyr....
: Etymology: Arabic شهيد Shahid (one who bears witness) + Persian suffix ی i.
Shahin
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
: Etymology: Persiah شاهین Shahin (Falcon). an Indian falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) having the underparts of a plain unbarred ferruginous color, being related to the peregrine falcon, and used in falconry
Shahzada: Etymology: Hindi शाह-जादा shah-zada, from Persian, from شاه shah king + زاده zada son. The son of a Shah.
Shamiana
Shamiana
Shamiana is a popular Indian tent shelter, which is commonly used for outdoor parties, marriages, feasts etc.. Its side walls are removable. The external fabric can be multicolored or can hold exquisite designs. The four corners are supported with wooden poles. The history of Shamiana, dates back...
: Etymology: Hindi शामियाना shamiyana, from Persian شامیانه shamyanah. a cloth canopy
Shawl
Shawl
A shawl is a simple item of clothing, loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms, and sometimes also over the head. It is usually a rectangular or square piece of cloth, that is often folded to make a triangle but can also be triangular in shape...
: Etymology: from Persian شال shāl.
Sherristar: Etymology: from Hindi सर्रिश्ताद्र sarrishtadr, from Persian سررشته sarrishta(sarreshteh) record office + دار daar having. Registrar.
Sherry
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez , Spain. In Spanish, it is called vino de Jerez....
: According to one theory, it is from Jerez in Spain, which itself comes from Pers شیراز Shiraz during the time of Rustamid empire in Spain. The theory is also mentioned by Professor. T.B. Irving in one of his book reviews
Sherryvallies: Etymology: modification of Polish szarawary, from Russian шаравары sharavary, from Greek σαρβαρα sarabara loose trousers, probably of Iranian origin; akin to Persian شلوار shalwar, shulwar loose trousers. overalls or protective leggings of thick cloth or leather formerly worn for riding on horseback
Shikar: Etymology: Hindi सीकर sikar, from Persian شکار shikaar, Middle Persian شکار shkaar. The word means hunting.
Shikargah: Etymology: Hindi सिकारगाह sikaargaah, from Persian شیکرگاه shikrgaah, from shikaar hunting + -gah place. A game preserve.
Shikari: Etymology: From Persian شکار Shikar+Persian suffix ی (i) denoting possession. a big game hunter.
Shikasta
Shikasta
Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta is a 1979 science fiction novel by British Nobel Prize in Literature-winner Doris Lessing, and is the first book in her five-book Canopus in Argos series. It was first published in the United States in October 1979 by Alfred A. Knopf, and in the United Kingdom in...
: Etymology: Persian شکسته shikasta broken, from shikastan شكستن to break, from Middle Persian shikastan.
Shikra
Shikra
The Shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the Little Banded Goshawk. The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the Shikra...
: Etymology: from Persian شکرا shikara bird trained to hunt. a small Indian hawk (Accipiter badius) sometimes used in falconry.
Simurgh
Simurgh
Simurgh , also spelled simorgh, simurg, simoorg or simourv, also known as Angha , is the modern Persian name for a benevolent, mythical flying creature...
: Etymology: from Pers. سیمرغ simurgh, from Pahlavi sin "eagle" + murgh "bird." Cf. Avestan saeno merego "eagle," Skt. syenah "eagle," Arm. ցին cin "kite.". a supernatural bird, rational and ancient, in Pers. mythology.
Sipahis: See Spahi and Sepoy.
Sircar: Etymology: Hindi सरकार sarkaar, from Persian سرکار sarkaar. a district or province in India under the Mogul empire. the supreme authority. used also as a title of respect. in Bengal a domestic servant having the functions of a steward.
Sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
: Etymology: via Hindi सितार sitar, from Pers. ستار sitar "three-stringed," from sih/she "three" (O.Pers. thri-) + Persian. tar "string". an Indo-Iranian lute with a long broad neck and a varying number of strings whose various forms are used in Iran, Afghanistana and the Indian subcontinent.
Softa : Etymology: Turkish, from Persian سوخته sukhtah burnt, kindled (with love of knowledge).
Sogdian
Sogdiana
Sogdiana or Sogdia was the ancient civilization of an Iranian people and a province of the Achaemenid Empire, eighteenth in the list on the Behistun Inscription of Darius the Great . Sogdiana is "listed" as the second of the "good lands and countries" that Ahura Mazda created...
: Etymology: Latin sogdianus, from Old Persian Sughuda. of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient Sogdiana.
Soorki:: Etymology: Hindi सुर्ख surkh, from Persian سرخ surkh, literally, redness, from surkh red, from Middle Persian سخر sukhr; akin to Avestan suXra- bright, Sanskrit sukra
Sowar
Sowar
Sowar , meaning 'The one who rides' in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. Later during the British Raj it was the name in Anglo-Indian usage for a horse-soldier belonging to the cavalry troops of the native armies of British India and the feudal states...
: Etymology: Persian صور suwar rider, from Middle Persian asbar, aspwar, from Old Persian asabra- horseman, from asa- horse + -bra- carried by, rider. a mounted orderly. Lancer.
Spahi
Spahi
Spahis were light cavalry regiments of the French army recruited primarily from the indigenous populations of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. The modern French Army retains one regiment of Spahis as an armoured unit, with personnel now recruited in mainland France...
: Etymology: Middle French spahi, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian سپاه from Pahlavi spāh, from Old Persian taxma spāda, from Avestan spādha, meaning army, military. one of a corps of Algerian native cavalry in the French army normally serving in Africa. one of a corps of largely irregular Turkish cavalry disbanded after the suppression of the Janissaries in 1826.
Spinach
Spinach
Spinach is an edible flowering plant in the family of Amaranthaceae. It is native to central and southwestern Asia. It is an annual plant , which grows to a height of up to 30 cm. Spinach may survive over winter in temperate regions...
: Etymology: Middle French espinache, espinage, from Old Spanish espinaca, from Arabic يسبناخ , يسفينآخ isbnakh, isfinaakh, from Persian اسپاخ aspanakh.
Squinch
Squinch
A squinch in architecture is a construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a base to receive an octagonal or spherical dome...
: Etymology: Persian سه+کنج=) سکنج) —A squinch in architecture is a construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a base to receive an octagonal or spherical
Sphere
A sphere is a perfectly round geometrical object in three-dimensional space, such as the shape of a round ball. Like a circle in two dimensions, a perfect sphere is completely symmetrical around its center, with all points on the surface lying the same distance r from the center point...
dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
. A later solution of this structural problem was provided by the pendentive
Pendentive
A pendentive is a constructive device permitting the placing of a circular dome over a square room or an elliptical dome over a rectangular room. The pendentives, which are triangular segments of a sphere, taper to points at the bottom and spread at the top to establish the continuous circular or...
. The squinch was invented in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. It was used in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
in both eastern Romanesque and Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
. It remained a feature of Islamic architecture, especially in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, and was often covered by corbelled stalactite
Stalactite
A stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...
-like structures known as muqarnas
Muqarnas
Muqarnas is a type of corbel used as a decorative device in traditional Islamic architecture. The term is similar to mocárabe, but mocárabe only refers to designs with formations resembling stalactites, by the use of elements known as alveole.Muqarnas takes the form of small pointed niches,...
.
-Stan
-stan
The suffix -stan is Persian for "place of", a cognate to Pashto -tun and to Indo-Aryan -sthāna , a Sanskrit suffix with a similar meaning...
: ـستان;meaning "land" or "country", source of place names such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, etc., from Pers. -stan "country," from Indo-Iranian *stanam "place," lit. "where one stands,"
Subahdar
Subahdar
Subahdar was one of the designations of a governor of a Subah during the Mughal era of India who was alternately designated as Sahib-i-Subah or Nazim. The word, Subahdar is of Persian origin...
: Etymology: Persian سبادار subadar, from suba province + -dar having, holding, from Old Persian dar- to hold. the chief native officer of a native company in the former British Indian army having a position about equivalent to that of captain
Sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
: Etymology: The word is Sanskrit which is an Indo-Iranian language of the Indo-Aryan branch but Persian played a role in transmitting it. Middle English sugre, sucre, from Anglo-French sucre, from Medieval Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
saccharum, from Old Italian zucchero, from Arabic sukkar, from Pahlavi shakar, ultimately from Sanskrit sarkara
Suclat: Etymology: Hindi सुकला suqlaa, from Persian سقلات saqalaat a rich cloth. In India any of various woolens; specifically European broadcloth.
Surma
Kohl (cosmetics)
Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic. It was made by grinding galena and other ingredients. It is widely used in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and parts of West Africa to darken the eyelids and as mascara for the eyelashes...
: Etymology: Persian سرما Surma. native antimony sulfide used in India to darken the eyelids.
Surnay: Etymology: Persian سرنای Surnaay. a Middle Eastern and Central Asian oboe.
syagush: Persian سیاه-گوش siyah-gush, literally, black ear. Caracal.
Samosa
Samosa
A samosa is a stuffed, deep fried,snack that is very popular in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Southwest Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, North Africa and South Africa...
: Etymology: Hindi समोसा samos & Urdu سموسہ، سمبسا samosa, sambsa, from Persian سنبوسه sambusa.
T
Tabasheer
Tabasheer
Tabasheer or Banslochan is a translucent white substance, composed mainly of silica and water with traces of lime and potash, obtained from the nodal joints of some species of bamboo. It is part of the pharmacology of the traditional Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine of the Indian...
: Etymology: Hindi तब्श्र tabshr, from Persian. a siliceous concretion in the joints of the bamboo valued in the East Indies as a medicine.
Tabor
Tabor (instrument)
Tabor, or tabret, refers to a portable snare drum played with one hand. The word "tabor" is simply an English variant of a Latin-derived word meaning "drum" - cf. tambour , tamburo...
: Etymology: Middle English tabur, from Welsh Tabwrdd and Old French tabour/tabur, alteration of tambur. See tambour.
Taffeta
Taffeta
Taffeta is a crisp, smooth plain woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibers. The word is Persian in origin, and means "twisted woven." It is considered to be a "high end" fabric, suitable for use in ball gowns, wedding dresses, and in interiors for curtains or wallcovering. There are two...
: Etymology: from Persian تافته taftah meaning woven.
Tahsildar: Etymology: Hindi तहसीलदार tahsildar, from Persian تحصیلدار, from Arabic تحصيل tahsil + Persian در -dar. a revenue officer in India.
Taj: Etymology: Arabic تاج taj, from Persian تاج taj, crown, crest, cap. a cap worn in Muslim countries; especially: a tall cone-shaped cap worn by dervishes.
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
: from Persian: تاج محل, lit. "the best of buildings;" or "the Crown's Place".
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
: تاجیکستان; Tajik combined with Persian suffix -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Tajiks" in Persian.
Talc
Talc
Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg34 or Mg3Si4O102. In loose form, it is the widely-used substance known as talcum powder. It occurs as foliated to fibrous masses, its crystals being so rare as to be almost unknown...
: from Pers. تالک talk "talc."
Tambour
Tambour
In classical architecture, a tambour is the inverted bell of the Corinthian capital around which are carved acanthus leaves for decoration....
: Etymology: French, drum, from Middle French, from Arabic طنبور tanbur, modification (influenced by tunbur, a lute) of Persian تعبیر tabir.
Tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
: See above.
Tanbur
Tanbur
The term tanbūr can refer to various long-necked, fretted lutes originating in the Middle East or Central Asia. According to the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "terminology presents a complicated situation. Nowadays the term tanbur is applied to a variety of distinct and related...
: Etymology: Persian تمبر Tambur.
Tangi: Etymology: Persian تنگی Tangi. a narrow gorge
Tandoori : from تنور tannur "oven, portable furnace,"+Persian suffix i.
Tapestry
Tapestry
Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven on a vertical loom, however it can also be woven on a floor loom as well. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length and those parallel to the width ; the warp threads are set up under tension on a...
: probably from an Iranian source (cf. Pers. تفتان، تابیدن taftan, tabidan "to turn, twist").
Tar
Tar (lute)
The tār is a long-necked, waisted Iranian instrument. It has been adopted by other cultures and Azerbaijan. The word tar itself means "string" in Persian, though it might have the same meaning in languages influenced by Persian or any other branches of Iranian languages like Kurdish...
: Etymology: Persian: تار. An oriental lute.
Tarazet : from (Shahin-e Tarazu) شاهین ترازو
Tass: Etymology: Middle French tasse, from Arabic طعس/تصح tass, tassah, from Persian تست tast. a drinking cup or bowl.
Tebbad: Etymology: perhaps from Persian تاب tab fever + باد bad wind, from Middle Persian vat; akin to Avestan vata- wind, Sanskrit वत vata.
Temacha: Etymology: Persian تاماخرا tamakhra joke, humor. a Persian comic or farcical interlude performed by traveling players.
Thanadar: Etymology: Hindi थंडर thandar, from تهان than + Persian در -dar having. the chief officer of a thana.
Tiara
Tiara
A tiara is a form of crown. There are two possible types of crown that this word can refer to.Traditionally, the word "tiara" refers to a high crown, often with the shape of a cylinder narrowed at its top, made of fabric or leather, and richly ornamented. It was used by the kings and emperors of...
: via Latin tiara from Persian تاره tara
Timar
Timar
Timar is a land granted by the Ottoman sultans between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, with a tax revenue annual value of less than 20 000 akçes. The revenues produced from land acted as compensation for military service. A Timar holder was known as a Timariot...
: Etymology: Turkish timar attendance, care, timar, from Persian تمر tmr sorrow, care. a Turkish fief formerly held under condition of military service.
Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
: via Greek Τίγρις tigris from an Iranian source
Tigris
Tigris
The Tigris River is the eastern member of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. The river flows south from the mountains of southeastern Turkey through Iraq.-Geography:...
: From Middle Persian تیگر Tigr "arrow", originally from Old Persian 𒋾𒂵𒊏 Tigra "pointed" or "sharp"
Toque : from O. Pers. طاق taq "veil, shawl."
Tranky: Etymology: Persian dialect ترانکی tranki. an undecked bark used in the Persian gulf.
Trehala: Etymology: probably from French tréhala, from Turkish tgala, from Persian تیغال tighal.
Tulip
Tulip
The tulip is a perennial, bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa, which comprises 109 species and belongs to the family Liliaceae. The genus's native range extends from as far west as Southern Europe, North Africa, Anatolia, and Iran to the Northwest of China. The tulip's centre of...
: Etymology: any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa. from French tulipe, from Persian دلبند dulband.
Turan
Turan
Tūrān is the Persian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur". As described below, the original Turanians are an Iranian tribe of the Avestan age. As a people the "Turanian" are one of the two Iranian peoples both descending from the Persian Fereydun but with different...
: from Persian توران
Turanian: Etymology: Persian توران Turan ترکستان Turkistan (literally: "Land of the Turks"), the region north of the Oxus + English -ian. A member of any of the peoples of Ural-Altaic stock.
Turanite: Etymology: from Persian توران Turan + Russian -it' -ite. a basic vanadate of copper prob. Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4.
Turanose
Turanose
Turanose is a reducing disaccharide. The D-isomer is naturally occurring. Its systematic name is α-D-glucopyranosyl--α-D-fructofuranose. It is an analog of sucrose not metabolized by higher plants, but rather acquired through the action of sucrose transporters for intracellular carbohydrate...
: Etymology: German turanos, from Persian توران Turan + German -os -ose; obtained by the partial hydrolysis of melezitose; 3-α-glucosyl-fructose
Turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
: from Persian دلبند dulband Band = To close, To tie.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states...
: ترکمنستان; Turkmen combined with Persian suffix ـستان -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Turkmens" in Persian.
Typhoon : Etymology: via Chinese 大风/大風, Hindi दफुं, Arabic طوفان, and Ancient Greek τυφῶν; ultimately from Persian word Toofaan (طوفان)
U
UzbekistanUzbekistanUzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
: ازبکستان; Uzbek combined with Persian suffix ـستان -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Uzbeks" in Persian.
VVispered: Avestan vispa ratavo meaning all the lords. one of the supplementary ritual texts included in the Avestan sacred writings.
vizier
Vizier
A vizier or in Arabic script ; ; sometimes spelled vazir, vizir, vasir, wazir, vesir, or vezir) is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in a Muslim government....
: وزير etymology disputed; general references often derive it from Arabic وزير wazir, "viceroy", lit. "one who bears (the burden of office)", lit. "porter, carrier", from Arabic وزارة wazara, "he carried". However, Jared S. Klein derives it from Middle Persian وهر vichir, from Avestan vicira, "arbitrator, judge".
X
XerxesXerxes I of PersiaXerxes I of Persia , Ḫšayāršā, ), also known as Xerxes the Great, was the fifth king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire.-Youth and rise to power:...
: Gk. form (Ξέρξης) of O. Pers. 𐎧𐏁𐎹𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎠 Kshayarshan-, lit. "male (i.e. 'hero') among kings," from Kshaya- "king" (cf. shah) + arshan "male, man."
YYarak : Etymology: From Persian یارِگی yaraki power, strength. good flying condition: FETTLE – used of a hawk or other bird used in hunting eagles ... are difficult to get into yarak – Douglas Carruthers.
Yasht
Yasht
The s are a collection of twenty-one hymns in Younger Avestan. Each of these hymns invokes a specific Zoroastrian divinity or concept. Yasht chapter and verse pointers are traditionally abbreviated as Yt....
: Modern Persian یشت from Avesta. Avestan yashtay adoration. one of the hymns to angels or lesser divinities forming part of the Avesta
.
Yuft: Etymology: Russian Йуфт, Йухт yuft', yukht', perhaps from Persian جفت juft pair.
Z
Zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
: Etymology: zamindar, from Persian, from زمین zamin land + دار -dar holder meaning "Possessor of real estate" in Persian. A collector of revenues from the cultivators of the land of a specified district for the government of India during the period of Muslim rule
Zamindari: Etymology: from Persian, from زمیندار zamindar.
Zanza : Etymology: Arabic سنج sanj castanets, cymbals, from Persian سنج sanj. an African musical instrument consisting of graduated sets of tongues of wood or metal inserted into and resonated by a wooden box and sounded by plucking with the fingers or thumbs.
Zarathushtra
Zoroaster
Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...
or Zarathustra
Zoroaster
Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...
: the Persian prophet
Zedoary
Zedoary
Zedoary is the name for a perennial herb and member of the genus Curcuma Linn., family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to India and Indonesia...
: Etymology: Middle English zeduarie, from Medieval Latin zeduria, from Arabic زادور zadwr, from Persian. an East Indian drug consisting of the rhizome of either of two species of curcuma, Curcuma zedoaria or C. aromatica, used as a stimulant.
Zenana
Zenana
Zenana , refers to the part of a house belonging to a Muslim family in the Middle East and South Asia reserved for the women of the household. The Zenana are the inner apartments of a house in which the women of the family live...
: Etymology: From Persian زن zan woman. The literal meaning is Women-related. The part of a dwelling in which the women of a family are secluded in India and Persian.
Zena
Zena (disambiguation)
Zena may refer to:*Zena, New York, a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, United States.* Zena, Oklahoma, United States* Zena, Oregon, United States* Genoa, Italy, known as "Zena" in the Genoese dialectPeople with the given name Zena:...
: feminine given name from Persian زن Zan (woman).
Zerda: Etymology: Arabic زيرداو zerdaw, probably of Persian origin. Fennec.
Zircon
Zircon
Zircon is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates. Its chemical name is zirconium silicate and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4. A common empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is 1–x4x–y...
: Via German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
Zirkon and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
ئشقنعى zarkûn; ultimately from Persian زرگون zargun, "gold-colored" or from Syriac
Syriac language
Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...
ܙܐܪܓܥܢܥ Zargono.
Zirconate
Zirconate
A zirconate is a mixed oxide containing zirconium. Examples include Na2ZrO3, Ca2ZrO4 which can be prepared by fusing zirconium dioxide with e.g. Na2O and CaO respectively....
: zircon + the suffix -ate, from Latin -atus
Zirconia: zircon + the New Latin -ia suffix
Zirconium
Zirconium
Zirconium is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. The name of zirconium is taken from the mineral zircon. Its atomic mass is 91.224. It is a lustrous, grey-white, strong transition metal that resembles titanium...
: zircon + the New Latin suffix -ium
Zoroaster
Zoroaster
Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...
: from Persian Zarathushtra
Zoroaster
Zoroaster , also known as Zarathustra , was a prophet and the founder of Zoroastrianism who was either born in North Western or Eastern Iran. He is credited with the authorship of the Yasna Haptanghaiti as well as the Gathas, hymns which are at the liturgical core of Zoroastrianism...
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
: The religion brought forth by Zoroaster.
Zumbooruk: from Persian زنبوره zanburah.
Sources