Difference between revisions of "Arabic loan words"
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(Adding column which will explain how Arabic words got into English (or Persian etc words got into English via Arabic)) |
('Definition' rather than 'Alternative' (which incorrectly suggests that Arabic loanwords are second-rate)) |
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! Word with Arabic Root<ref>[http://jeffreyhill.typepad.com/english/2008/08/arabic-loan-words-in-english.html Arabic loan words in English]</ref> | ! Word with Arabic Root<ref>[http://jeffreyhill.typepad.com/english/2008/08/arabic-loan-words-in-english.html Arabic loan words in English]</ref> | ||
! Etymology | ! Etymology | ||
| − | ! | + | ! Definition |
|- | |- | ||
| algebra | | algebra | ||
Revision as of 20:46, September 4, 2011
English has the ability to borrow words from other languages integrate them into every day usage. Most of English is derived from other languages such as French, German, and Latin. A perhaps surprisingly large number of loanwords also come from Arabic.
Arabic Loan Words and English synonyms
| Word with Arabic Root[1] | Etymology | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| algebra | ||
| arsenal | armory, stockpile | |
| assassin | killer, hitman | |
| coffee | ||
| cotton | ||
| elixir | potion[2] | |
| Gibraltar | Pillars of Hercules | |
| haboob | violent sandstorm | |
| lemon | ||
| lime | ||
| mattress | bed-cushion | |
| orange | ||
| safari | trip | |
| scarlet | ||
| soda | pop, soft drink | |
| sugar | ||
| summit | ||
| tariff | tax | |
| zero | none |
- ↑ Arabic loan words in English
- ↑ Note the irony: in English, an elixir is an alcoholic drink of medicinal value—in short, a cocktail.