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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 (Pedar), English (Daughter) and Persian (Dokhtar), English (Sister) and Persian (Khwāhar) and English (Brother) and Persian (Barādar). 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 words also came into English through Hindustani during the British Raj. Persian was the lingua franca of India before British rule.

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.

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[edit] A

Abbasi

A Persian coin or unit of weight; an Afghan coin. Etymology: Abbas plus Persian suffix i; literally, "of Abbas", with reference to Abbas I (died 1628), shah of Persia.^[1] Not to be confused with the Abbasi family or the Abbasid dynasty.

Abkar

A wine manufacturer or seller, whose trade is subject to abkari tax. Etymology: Persian abkar, from ab "water, liquid" (from Old Persian pi-) + kar, "doer" (from Middle Persian).^[2]

Abkari

Etymology: "abkari." manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors or drugs.^[3]

Absinthe

Etymology: Perhaps from Persian aspand. alcoholic liqueur distilled from wine mixed with wormwood.^[4]

Achaemenid

Etymology: Greekified of Old Persian Hakhaamanesh. The Old Persian Achaemenid empire from 559 B.C. to 330 B.C.^[5]

Achar

Etymology: Persian achar. a pickled article of food as prepared in India: a pickle or relish^[6]

Afreet

Etymology: Arabic ifrit, probably from Persian afarida created being. a powerful evil jinni, demon, or monstrous giant in Arabic mythology.^[7]

Afghanistan

Afghan combined with Persian suffix stan.^[8] Literally meaning "Land of Afghans" in Persian.

Ahriman

from Persian Ahriman. Zoroastrian conception of evil.

Ahu

Etymology: Persian ahu, from Middle Persian ahuk. the common gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) of central Asia.^[9]

ahung

Etymology: Chinese a-hong from Persian akhun. theologian, preacher.^[10]

Ahura Mazda 

from Old. Pers Auramazdâ. Zoroastrian conception of God literally meaning wise lord.^[11]

Akhundzada

Etymology: Hindi akhundzada, from Persian, from akhund teacher + zada son. In India the son of a head officer – used as a title^[12]

Algorithm 

from the name of the Persian scientist Al-Khwarizmi.^[13][14]

Alkenkengi

from Arabic al-kakanj the ground-cherry originally from Persian kakunaj.^[15]

Amani

Etymology: Hindi & Persian aman, from Arabic amanah security. The aman+i (where the suffix i is Persian).^[16]

Angra Mainyu 

older version of Ahriman.

Angaria 

Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek angareia, from angaros royal (Persian) courier. In Roman and civil law: a compulsory service exacted by the government, a lord, or the church^[17]

Angel

Etymology: Middle English angel, from Old French angele, from Late Latin angelus, from Greek angelos, literally, messenger, probably of Iranian origin; akin to the source of Greek angaros imperial Persian courier; perhaps akin to Sanskrit angiras one of a group of luminous divine beings. a supernatural spirit especially in Persian, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theologies that is commonly depicted as being winged and serving as God's messenger and divine intermediary and as special guardian of an individual or nation.^[18]

Apadana

Etymology: Old Persian apadana palace, from apa- away + dana container. the great hall in ancient Persian palaces.^[19]

Armenia

etymology not necessarily Persian although first mentioned in the Old Persian inscription of the Achaemenids as Armina. Arman.^[20][21][22]

arsenic 

from zarnig.^[23]

Arya 

from Old Persian Ariya and Sanskrit Arya.^[24]

Aryan 

See Arya above.

As

Etymology: Persian. a Persian card game similar to poker and by some thought to be its progenitor.^[25]

Asafetida

Etymology: Persian aza (mastic) + Latin foetida. tTe fetid gum resin of various Persian and East Indian plants of the genus Ferula occurring in the form of tears and dark-colored masses, having a strong odor and taste, and formerly used in medicine as an antispasmodic^[26]

Asmodeus 

evil spirit, prince of demons, from L. Asmodaeus, from Gk. Asmodaios, from Talmudic Heb. Ashmeday, from Avestan (Old-Iranian) Aesh-ma-dæva, lit. "Aeshma the deceitful."^[27]

Assassin

Sometimes considered a Persian word; see Assassin and Hashshashin for discussion.

aubergine 

from French, from Catalan albergínia, from Arabic الباذِنْجان (al-baðinjān), from Persian بادنجان Bâdinjân itself maybe originally from Sanskrit.^[28]

Aumildar

Etymology: from Arabic 'amal work + Persian -dar (agent suffix). A revenue collector in India.^[29]

Avesta

see next entry.

Avestan

Etymology: Avesta, sacred books of the ancient Zoroastrian religion (from Middle Persian Avastik) + English -an. of or relating to the Avesta or to Avestan.^[30]

Azadirachta

Etymology: New Latin, from Persian azad dirakht, literally, free or noble tree.^[31]

Azedarach

Etymology: French azédarac, from Persian azad dirakht, literally, free or noble tree^[32]

Azha 

from Persian Ashiyana (آشیانه)

Azure (color) 

from Medieval Latin azura, from Persian lājaward^[33]

[edit] B

Babouche 

Etymology: from Persian papoosh (پاپوش), from pa "foot" + poosh "covering." a chiefly oriental slipper made without heel or quarters.^[34][35]

Babul

Etymology: Persian babul; akin to Sanskrit 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^[36]

Badian

Etymology: French badiane, from Persian baadiaan anise.^[37]

Baghdad 

From Middle Persian Bhagadad "Gifted by God"

Bakhtiar

Etymology: Persian Bakhtyr, perhaps from bakhtyr fortunate, rich, from bakht fortune, prosperity. a member of the Bakhtiari people.^[38]

Baksheesh 

from Persian bakhshesh (بخشش), lit. "gift," from verb bakhshidan "to give.". a gift of money^[39][40]

Balaghat

Etymology: probably from Hindi, from Persian baalaa above (from Middle Persian) + Hindi gaht pass. tableland above mountain passes.^[41]

Balcony

Etymology: balaakhana from Persian balaa = above + khana = house, upperhouse^[42]

Baluchi

Etymology: Persian 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.^[43]

Baluchistan

Etymology: from Baluchistan, country of western Asia, from Persian Baluchistaan. a rug in somber colors (as mulberry and deep blue) woven by nomad tribes in Baluchistan and especially Seistan.^[44]

Ban (title) 

"governor of Croatia," from Serbo-Croat. ban "lord, master, ruler," from Persian baan (بان) "prince, lord, chief, governor"^[45]

Barbican

possibly from Persian (khāneh "house").^[46]

Barsom

Etymology: Persian barsam, from Middle Persian barsum, from Avestan barsman. a bundle of sacred twigs or metal rods used by priests in Zoroastrian ceremonies.^[47]

Bas

Etymology: Hindi bas, from Persian. The word means Enough, Stop.^[48]

Bazaar 

from Persian بازار bāzār (="market"), from Middle-Persian bahâ-zâr ("The Place of Prices").^[49]

Bazigar

Etymology: Hindi bazigar, from Persian. literally means a player and it refers to a gypsylike nomadic Muslim people in India.^[50]

Bedeguar

Etymology: Middle French bedegard, from Persian baadaaward. gall like a moss produced on rosebushes (as the sweetbrier or eglantine) by a gall wasp (Rhodites rosae or related species)^[51]

Begar

Etymology: Hindi begaar, from Persian bi-kaar. Meaning without work, forced labor.^[52]

Begari

Etymology: Hindi begaar, from Persian. Meaning a person without work, a forced laborer.^[53]

Beige

Etymology: French, perhaps from Italian bambagia cotton, from Medieval Latin bambac-, bambax, from Middle Greek bambak-, bambax, probably from a Turkish word represented now by Turkish pamuk cotton, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian pamba cotton. cloth (as dress goods) made of natural undyed wool. a variable color averaging light grayish yellowish brown. a pale to grayish yellow.^[54] "beige" /bazh/ may derive from "camBYSES" (Gk. "byssos" fine cloth, "bysses.byses" fine threads. Persian princes' robe)<Persian "kamBUJIYA"<Babylonian "kamBUZI" title of kings of Babylon who wore the robe each New Year.

Belleric

Etymology: French, from Arabic balilaj, from Persian balilah. the fruit of the bahera. compare to MYROBALAN.^[55]

Bellum

Etymology: modification of Persian balam. a Persian-gulf boat holding about eight persons and propelled by paddles or poles.^[56]

Benami

Etymology: Hindi benaam, from Persian banaam in the name of + i. made, held, done, or transacted in the name of.^[57]

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 --^[58][59]

Bheesty 

Etymology: from Persian bihisht heavenly one. India: a water carrier especially of a household or a regiment.^[60]

Bhumidar 

Etymology: Hindi bhumidar, from bhumi earth, land (from Sanskrit also Persian Bumi and Old Persian Bum) + dar holder (from Persian). India: a landholder having full title to his land.^[61]

Bibi 

Etymology: Hindi bibi, from Persian.^[62]

Bildar 

Etymology: Hindi beldar, from Persian bildaar, from bil spade + -dar holder. Digger, Excavator.^[63]

Biryani 

Etymology: Hindi, or Urdu biryaan from Persian beryaan. roasted, grilled. Also an Indian dish containing meat, fish, or vegetables and rice flavored with saffron or turmeric.^[64][65]

Bobachee 

Etymology: Hindi babarchi, from Persian baawarchi. India: a male cook^[66]

Bombast 

Etymology: modification of Middle French bombace, from Medieval Latin bombac-, bombax cotton, alteration of Latin bombyc-, bombyx silkworm, silk, from Greek bombyk-, bombyx silkworm, silk garment, probably of Persian origin; akin to Persian pamba cotton. 1) obsolete: cotton or any soft fibrous material used as padding or stuffing 2) a pretentious inflated style of speech or writing.^[67]

Borax 

Etymology: from Persian burah. the best-known sodium borate Na2B4O7.10H2O^[68][69]

Bostanji 

Turkish bostanci, literally, gardener, from bostan garden, from Persian bustaan flower or herb garden, from bo fragrance + -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^[70]

Bronze 

Etymology: Perhaps ultimately from Pers. birinj "copper.".^[71]

Brinjal 

Etymology: from Persian badingaan, probably from Sanskrit vaatingana. Eggplant.^[72]

Buckshee 

Etymology: Hindi bakhsis, from Persian bakhshish.^[73]

Budmash 

Etymology: Persian badma'sh immoral, from bad bad (from Middle Persian vat) + ma'sh (Arabic) living, life. India: a bad character: a worthless person.^[74]

Bukshi 

Etymology: Persian bakhshi, literally, giver, from bakhshidan to give. India: a military paymaster.^[75]

bulbul 

Etymology: Persian originally borrowed from Arabic. a Persian songbird frequently mentioned in poetry that is a nightingale. a maker or singer of sweet songs.^[76]

Bund 

Etymology: Hindi band, from Persian. An embankment used especially in India to control the flow of water.^[77]

Bunder Boat 

Etymology: Hindi bandar harbor, landing-place, from Persian. a coastal and harbor boat in the Far East.^[78]

Bundobust 

Etymology: Hindi band-o-bast, literally, tying and binding, from Persian. India: arrangement or settlement of details.^[79]

Burka 

Etymology: Russian, probably from buryi dark brown (of a horse), probably of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish bur red like a fox; the Turkic word probably from Persian bur reddish brown;^[80]

Burkundaz 

Etymology: Hindi barqandz, from Persian, from barq lightning (from Arabic) + andz thrower. an armed guard or policeman of 18th and 19th century India.^[81]

Buzkashi 

from Persian buz "goat" + kashi "dragging"^[82]

[edit] C

Caftan 

Etymology: Russian kaftan, from Turkish, from Persian qaftan. an ankle-length coatlike garment, usually of cotton or silk, often striped, with very long sleeves and a sash fastening, common throughout the Levant.^[83]

Calabash 

possibly from Persian kharabuz, Kharbuzeh (خربزه) melon.^[84]

Calean 

Etymology: Persian qalyaan. a Persian water pipe.^[85]

Calender 

Etymology: Persian qalandar, from Arabic, from Persian kalandar uncouth man. one of a Sufic order of wandering mendicant dervishes.^[86]

Camaca

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French camocas or Medieval Latin camoca, from Arabic & Persian kamkha, kimkha. a medieval fabric prob. of silk and camel's hair used for draperies and garments.^[87]

Candy

from Arabic qandi "candied," derived from Persian qand, meaning "sugar."^[88]

Carafe 

from Arabic gharafa (قرافه), "to pour"; or from Persian qarabah, (قرابه) "a large flagon"^[89]

Caravan 

Etymology: Italian caravana, carovana, from Persian kārawān. a company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants on a long journey through desert or hostile regions: a train of pack animals.^[90]

Caravansary

Etymology: modification of Persian kārwānsarā, from kārwān caravan + 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.^[91]

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 tarkash, from Persian tirkash, from tir arrow (from Old Persian tigra pointed) + -kash bearing (from kashdan to pull, draw, from Avestan karsh-);^[92]

Carcoon

Etymology: Marathi kaarkun, from Persian kaarkon manager, from kaar work, business + -kon doer. India: CLERK.^[93]

Cash

Etymology: from Sanskrit karsa, a weight of gold or silver but akin to Old Persian karsha-, a weight. a unit of value equivalent to one cash coin.^[94]

Cassock 

Etymology: Middle French casaque, from Persian kazhaghand padded jacket, from kazh, kaj raw silk + aaghand stuffed. a long loose coat or gown formerly worn by men and women.^[95][96]

Caviar 

from Fr. caviar, from It. or Turk., from Pers. khaviyar (خاویار), from khaya "egg"+ dar "bearing, holder".^[97][98]

Ceterach 

Medieval Latin ceterah, from Arabic shtaraj, from Persian shitarakh. A small genus of mainly Old World ferns (family Polypodiaceae) typified by the scale fern^[99]

Chador 

Hindi caddar, from Persian 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.^[100]

Chakar 

Hindi chakor, from Persian chaker. India: a person in domestic service: SERVANT; also: a clerical worker.^[101]

Chakari

From Chakar. India: domestic or more commonly clerical service.^[102]

Chakdar

From Panjabi chakdar, from chak tenure (from Sanskrit cakra) + Persian -dar having. a native land tenant of India intermediate in position between the proprietor and cultivator.^[103]

Chalaza

Old Slavic zledica frozen rain, Persian 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.^[104]

Chappow

Persian Chapu pillage or Chapaul raid. Word is Mongolian in Origin. Pillage/Raid.^[105]

Charka

Hindi carkha, from Persian 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.^[106]

Charpoy

From Persian Char-pai. Literally meaning four-footed. a bed consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope used especially in India.^[107]

Chawbuck

Hindi cabuk, from Persian chabuk archaic, chiefly India: a large whip.^[108]

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.^[109][110]

Checkmate

from Middle French eschec mat, from Persian shâh mât (="the King cannot escape")^[111][112]

Chess

from Russian Shach, from Persian shah ("the King"), an abbreviation of Shâh-mât (Checkmate).^[113]

Cheyney

Etymology: probably from Persian chini literally meaning Chinese. a woolen fabric in use during the 17th and 18th centuries.^[114]

Chick

Hindi ciq, from Persian 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.^[115]

Chillum

Etymology: Hindi cilam, from Persian chilam.^[116]

Chilamchi

Etymology: Hindi cilamci, from Persian chilamchi. India: a metal wash basin.^[117]

China

Modification (influenced by China, the country) of Persian chn(Chinese) porcelain.^[118]

Chinar

Hindi chinar, from Persian chanar. A type of Oriental Tree.^[119]

Chobdar

Hindi cobdar. From Persian chubar. from chub, chub staff, wood (from Middle Persian chup wood) + -dar having.^[120]

Cinnabar 

probably from Persian zanjifrah^[121]

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 gumbed(Gonbad). an English unit of capacity equal to 4 imperial bushels or 4.13 United States bushels.^[122]

Culgee; Etymology

Hindi kalg, from Persian kalgi jeweled plume. a jeweled plume worn in India on the turban.^[123]

Cummerbund 

from Hindi kamarband (كمربند), from Persian, from kamar (="waist") + band (="band")^[124]

Cushy 

modification of Hindi khush pleasant, from Persian khush.^[125]

[edit] D

Daeva

daeva, deva from Avestan daevo; dev from Persian deev. Zoroastrianism: a maleficent supernatural being: an evil spirit.^[126]

dafadar

From Persian Daf'adaar. from Arabic daf'ah time, turn + Persian -dar holder.^[127]

Daftar

Hindi, record, office, from Persian Daftar, from Arabic daftar, diftar, from Greek diphthera prepared hide, parchment, leather.^[128]

Daftardar

Etymology: Hindi daftardar, from Persian, finance officer, from daftar + -dar holder.^[129]

Dakhma

Etymology: Persian, from Middle Persian dakhmak, from Avestan daxma- funeral place.^[130]

Daroga

Etymology: Hindi daroga, from Persian daaroga. India: a chief officer; especially: the head of a police, customs, or excise station.^[131]

Darvesh

Persian darvish.^[132]

Darzi

Hindi darzi, from Persian Darzi. A tailor or an urban caste of tailors in Hindu society in India.^[133]

Das

Sanskrit daasa demon, enemy, infidel, slave; probably akin to Persian daah servant, Avestan dahyn-, dainhu-, danghu- land, Old Persian dahyn- land, province, Sanskrit dasyu demon, barbarian. a Hindu slave or servant.^[134]

Dastur

Hindi dastur custom, from Persian Dastur. customary fee.^[135]

Dastur

From Persian Dastur. a Parsi high priest.^[135]

Dasturi

Hindi Dasturi from Persian Dastur. Gratuity.^[136]

Defterdar

Turkish, from Persian daftardar finance officer. a Turkish government officer of finance; specifically: the accountant general of a province.^[137]

Dehwar

Persian dehwar=Dih(land)+war (having possession of).  : a member of the Dehwar racial type usually having the status of a laborer or slave.^[138]

• del , delta heart, in Persian language

Dervish 

from Persian Darvish Middle Persian Darweesh. a member of any Muslim religious fraternity of monks or mendicants noted for its forms of devotional exercises^[139][140]

Dewan

Etymology: Hindi diwan, from Persian, account book.^[141]

Demitasse 

from Fr., lit. "half-cup," from demi- + tasse, an O.Fr. borrowing from Arabic tassah, from Pers. tasht "cup, saucer".

Div

See the Entry Daeva above.^[142]

Divan

from Persian dēvān (="place of assembly", "roster"), from Old Persian dipi (="writing, document") + vahanam (="house")^[143][144]

Doab

Etymology: Persian doab, from do two (from Middle Persian) + -ab water. a tract of land between two rivers: INTERFLUVE.^[145]

Dogana

Etymology: from Persian, account book. an Italian customhouse.^[146]

Douane

Etymology: from Persian Divan. CUSTOMHOUSE.^[147]

Dubber

Etymology: from Persian Dabba. a large globular leather bottle used in India to hold ghee, oil, or other liquid.^[148]

Duftery

Etymology: from Dafter (Record)+i. A servant in an office whose duty is to dust and bind records, rule paper, make envelopes. An office boy.^[149]

Dumba

Etymology: Persian, from dumb tail. a fat-tailed sheep of Bokhara and the Kirghiz steppe that furnishes astrakhan.^[150]

Durbar

Etymology: Persian, from dar door + baar door, admission, audience. admission, audience of the King.^[151]

Durwan

Etymology: Persian darwan, from dar door (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian duvar-) + Persian -wan keeping, guarding.^[152]

Dustuck

Etymology: Hindi dastak, from Persian Dastak (handle, related to hand).^[153]

[edit] E

Emblic

New Latin emblica, from Arabic amlaj, from Persian aamlah. an East Indian tree (Phyllanthus emblica) used with other myrobalans for tanning.^[154]

Enamdar

Hindi in'aamdaar, from Persian, from ina'm (originally Arabic meaning Gift) + -dar holder. the holder of an enam (Gifts).^[155]

Euphrates

From OLd Persian Ufratu "Good to cross over"

[edit] F

Farsakh 

Arabic Farsakh from Persian Farsang - فرسنگ -. a Persian metric unit equal to 10 kilometers or 6.21 miles.^[156]

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".^[157][158]

Faujdar 

Hindi Fawjdaar from Persian, from Arabic Fawj Host (troops) + Persian daar (holder). petty officer (as one in charge of police).^[159]

Faujdari

from Persian, from fawjdar. a criminal court in India.^[160]

Ferghan

from Persian 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.^[161]

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.^[162]

Fers

Middle English, from Middle French fierce, from Arabic farzan, from Persian farzin. obsolete: a chess queen.^[163]

Fida'i

Arabic 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.^[164]

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.^[165][166]

[edit] G

Gatch 

from Persian گچ (Gach), a plaster used especially in Persian architectural ornamentation.^[167]

Ghee 

from Hindi घी (ghi), possibly originally from Persian grdan, or to mix

Galingale 

from Persian خلنجان khalanjan, a plant.^[168]

Gherkin 

probably from Middle Persian angArah watermelon. A small oblong prickly cucumber of West Indian origin that is used chiefly for pickling – called also bur gherkin^[169]

Ghorkhar 

from Persian گوره خر (Gureh Khar). a wild ass of northwestern India believed to be identical with the onager.^[170]

Giaour 

from Pers. gaur, variant of gabr "fire-worshipper"^[171][172]

Gigerium

from Latin gigeria, plural, entrails of fowl, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian jigar liver.^[173]

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 jigar liver;^[174]

Gul

Etymology: Persian Gol/Gul گل. Rose.^[175]

Gulhinnai

Etymology: Persian guli hinna, from Persian gul flower, rose + Arabic hinna/henna. a Persian rug design consisting of a plant with central stem and attached star flowers.^[176]

Gulmohar

Etymology: Hindi gulmohur, from Persian gul rose, flower + muhr seal, gold coin.^[177]

Gunge

Etymology: Hindi gãj, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian ganj treasure.^[178]

Gymkhana

Etymology: probably modification (influenced by English gymnasium) of Hindi gend-khana racket court, from Persian 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).^[179]

[edit] H

Halalcor 

Hindi halalkhor, from Persian, from Arabic halal + Persian khor eating. a person in Iran and India to whom any food is lawful.^[180]

Havildar 

Hindi hawaldar, from Arabic 'hawala' charge + Persian 'dar' having. a noncommissioned officer in the Indian army corresponding to a sergeant.^[181]

Hyleg 

modification of Persian hailaj 'material body'. The astrological position of the planets at the time of birth^[182]

Hindi

Hind India, from Persian. literary language of northern India usually written in the Devanagari alphabet that is the official language of several states in India and is scheduled to become the official language of the republic.^[183]

Hindu 

from medieval Persian word Hindu (mod. Hendi), from ancient Avestan hendava ultimately from Sanskrit saindhava. "Indian"^[184][185]

Hindustan 

Hindi Hindustan, from Persian Hindustan (mod. Hendustan) India.^[186]

Hircarrah 

Persian harkara, from har every, all (from Old Persian haruva-) + kaar work, deed, from Middle Persian, from Old Persian kar- to do, make.^[187]

Homa

hom from Persian 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.^[188]

[edit] I

India

from Persian Hind, from Sanskrit Sindu, a river, in particular, the river Indus.^[189]

Iran

from Middle Persian Ir (Ary) + an (plural suffix)^[190]

Ispaghol

literally, horse's ear, from asp horse (from Middle Persian) + ghol ear. an Old World plantain (Plantago ovata) with mucilaginous seeds that are used in preparing a beverage.^[191]

[edit] J

Jackal 

from Persian shaghāl, ultimately from Sanskrit 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.^[192][193]

Jagir 

from Persian Ja (place) + 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;^[194]

Jama 

from Persian 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.^[195]

Jasmine 

from yasmin, the name of a climbing plant with fragrant flowers.^[196][197]

Jemadar 

Hindi jama'dar, jam'dar (influenced in meaning by Persian jam'at body of troops), from Arabic jam' collections, assemblage + Persian 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.^[198]

Jezail 

Persian jaza'il. a long heavy Afghan rifle.^[199]

Jujube 

Greek zizyphon, Persian zayzafun, an Asiatic tree with datelike fruit.^[200]

Julep 

from gulab (rose(gul)-water(ab)).^[201][202]

[edit] K

Kabob 

or kebab, possibly from Persian kabab کباب, or from identical forms in Arabic and Urdu^[203]

Kabuli 

 : Persian kabuli, of or belonging to Kabul, Afghanistan.^[204]

Kaftan 

from Persian خفتان khaftân.^[205]

Kajawah

from Persian کجاوه (Kajavah/Kajawah). a pannier used in pairs on camels and mules especially in India.^[206]

Kala-Azar

from Hindi kala (black) + Persian 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.^[207]

Kamboh

Etymology: Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Kamboh as "a member of a low caste in the Punjab engaged chiefly in agriculture".^[208] This definition of Webster for Kamboh is based on a Persian proverb, reportedly of modern origin, according to which, the Afghans, 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 Sindis and/or the Jatts in place of Kambohs.^[209] 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.^{[210][211][212]} According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the Sayyids and the Kambohs, from among the Indians, were specially favored for high civil and military positions during muslim rule in India.^[213]

The Kambohs are modern representatives of ancient Kambojas (q.v.),^[214] a famous Kshatriya (warrior) clan of Indo-Iranian affinities^[215] who find numerous references in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts as well as in many ancient inscriptions, including those of king Ashoka.

Numerous Indologists have connected name Kamboja to royal name Cambyses or Kambujiya (q.v.) of the Old Persian Inscriptions.^[216]

The Manusmriti,^[217] and Indian epic Mahabharata^[218] etc. attest that the Kambojas, Sakas, Pahlavas etc were originally noble Kshatriyas, but on account of their defiance of Brahmanical authority and their refusal to follow Hindu rituals & codes of conduct, these foreign conquerors were socially punished by the wrathful Brahmananical clergy who assigned them to a degenerate Kshatriya status (i.e. vrishaltam) in the Brahmanical caste system of India.^[219][220] Brahmanical text Harivamsa^[221] and numerous Puranas^[222] also attest that the Kambojas, Yavanas, Sakas, Pahlavas etc were originally high-class Kshatriyas, but it was Vedic king Sagara, the ruler of Kosala, 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.^[223] Harivamsa rather, describes these Kshatriya invaders as Kshatriya pungavas i, e foremost among the Kshatriyas. Bhishama Parava of Mahabharata delineates the Kamboja lineage as a very high lineage.^[224] Bombay Gazetteer maintains that the Kambojas etc lost their original high Kshatriya status because of their famed staunchness to Buddhism over Brahmanism.^[225] Dr Romila Thapar maintains that the Kamboj etc clans lost their noble Kshatriya status because of their switching to republican constitution.^[226]

A section of Kambojas or Kambohs ruled in Saurashtra, Bengal, and also colonised Sri Lanka & Cambodia. See: Kamboja Colonists of Sri Lanka & Kambojas and Kambodia.

Karez

Etymology: kârez an underground irrigation tunnel bored horizontally into rock slopes in Baluchistan. a system of irrigation by underground tunnels.^[227]

Kemancha

Etymology: from Persian 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.^[228]

Kerana 

Etymology: modification of Persian karranâi کرنای, from nâi, reed, reed pipe. a long Persian trumpet.^[229]

Kenaf 

Etymology: Persian. a valuable fiber plant (Hibiscus cannabinus) of the East Indies now widespread in cultivation.^[230]

Khaki 

from khaki (="made from soil", "dusty" or "of the colour of soil"), from khak (= "soil")^[231]

Khakhsar 

Etymology: Hindi khâksâr, from Persian khâkâsr خاکسار humble, probably from khâk dust + -sâr like. a member of a militant Muslim nationalist movement of India.^[232]

Khan

Arabic khân, from Persian. (not to be confused by the Altaic Khan). a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries.^[233]

Khankah

Etymology: Hindi khânaqâh, from Persian khâna house + gâh place.^[234]

Khidmatgar

from Arabic khidmah service + Persian -gar (suffix denoting possession or agency). In India: a male waiter^[235]

Khoja

Etymology: originally from Persian khâwja خواجه. used as a title of respect.^[236]

Khuskhus

Etymology: Persian & Hindi 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.^[237]

Kincob

Etymology: Hindi kimkhab, kamkhwab, from Persian. an Indian brocade usually of gold or silver or both.^[238]

Kiosk 

from kushk (="palace, portico, pavilion") or Middle Persian gōšak "corner"^[239][240]

Koftgari

Hindi koftgar, from Persian koftgari, from koft blow, beating + -gar doing. Indian damascene work in which steel is inlaid with gold.^[241]

Koh-i-noor 

from Pers. koh کوه "mountain" + Arabic Noor (light)." famous diamond that became part of the British crown jewels after the annexation of Punjab by Great Britain in 1849, from Persian Kh-i-nr, literally, mountain of light^[242][243]

Kotwal 

Hindi kotwal, from Persian. a chief police officer or town magistrate in India.^[244]

Kotwalee

Hindi kotwal, from Persian, from kotwalee. a police station in India.^[245]

Kran

Persian qran. the basic monetary unit of Persia from 1826 to 1932. a silver coin representing one kran.^[246]

Kurta 

Hindi & Urdu kurta, from Persian kurtâ. a loose-fitting collarless shirt.^[247]

Kusti 

Persian kusti, kushti, from kusht waist, side, from Middle Persian kust, kustak. the sacred cord or girdle worn by Parsis as a mark of their faith – compare.^[248]

[edit] L

Lac

Persian lak and Hindi 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.^[249]

Lamasery

French lamaserie, from lama + -serie (from Persian sarāi palace, large house).^[250]

Larin

Etymology: Persian 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.^[251]

Lascar

Urdu lashkarī < Pers, equiv. to lashkar army + -ī suffix of appurtenance]. an East Indian sailor. Anglo-Indian. an artilleryman.^[252]

Lasque

Etymology: perhaps from Persian lashk bit, piece. a flat thin diamond usually cut from an inferior stone and used especially in Hindu work.^[253]

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.^[254]

Lemon 

Origin: 1350–1400; 1905–10 for def. 4; < ML lemōnium; r. ME lymon < ML līmō, (s. līmōn-) < Pers līmū, līmun. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.^[255] 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 laymūn or līmūn, which comes from the Persian word līmūn.

Lilac 

from Pers. lilak, variant of nilak "bluish," from nil "indigo"^[256]

Lungī

Hindi lungī, from Persian. a usually cotton cloth used especially in India, Pakistan, and Burma for articles of clothing (as sarongs, skirts, and turbans).^[257]

Laari

Etymology: probably from Divehi (Indo-Aryan language of the Maldive Islands), from Persian 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.^[258]

[edit] M

Magic

Middle English magik, from Middle French magique, from Latin magicus, from Greek magikos, 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.^[259]

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.^[260][259]

Malguzar 

Hindi malguzar, from Arabic mal property, rent + Persian guzar payer. Equivalent to Malik in India.^[261]

Manichean

Latin Manichaeus member of the Manichean sect (from Late Greek 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.^[262]

Manticore 

from O. Pers. word for "man eater," cf. martiya- "man" + root of 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.^[263][264]

Markhor 

Persian mār(snake)+khōr(eating), consuming (from khōrdan to eat, consume). a wild goat (Capra falconieri) of mountainous regions from Afghanistan to India.^[265]

Mazdak

Name of Persian reformer of Zoroastrian Faith.

Mazdakite

from Mazdak (of belonging to Mazda), 5th century A.D. Persian religious reformer + English ite. a member of the sect of Mazdak.^[266]

Mazdoor

Hindi mazdur, from Persian muzdur. an Indian laborer.^[267]

Mehmandar

Persian mihmāndār, from mihmān guest (from Middle Persian mehmān) + -dār holder. an official in India, Persia, or Afghanistan appointed to escort an ambassador or traveler.^[268]

Mehtar

Persian mihtar prince, greater, elder, from mih great (from Middle Persian meh, mas) + -tar, comparative suffix (from Middle Persian, from Old Persian -tara-). A groom^[269]

Mesua

New Latin, from Johannes Mesuë (Arabic 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.^[270]

Mezereon

Middle English mizerion, from Medieval Latin mezereon, from Arabic mazariyun, from Persian. 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.^[271]

Mirza

Persian mirza, literally, son of a lord. a common title of honor in Persia prefixed to the surname of a person of distinction.^[272]

Mithra

from the name of the Persian God Mithra.^[273]

Mithraeum

from Persian Mithra^[274][273]

Mithraism

from Persian Mithra^[275][273]

Mobed

a Parsi priest. The word is cognate with Magian and Magus.^[276]

Mogul 

from mughul (="Mongolian")^[277]

Mohur

Hindi muhur, muhr gold coin, seal, from Persian 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.^[278]

Mummy

Middle English mummie, from Middle French momie, from Medieval Latin mumia, from Arabic mumiyah mummy, bitumen, from Persian mum wax. a concoction formerly used as a medicament or drug containing powdered parts of a human or animal body.^[279]

Murra

Etymology: Latin, probably of Iranian origin like Greek morrhia murra; akin to Persian mori, muri little glass ball. a material thought to be of semiprecious stone or porcelain used to make costly vessels in ancient Rome.^[280]

Musk 

ultimately from Middle Persian musk, from Sanskrit muska (="testicle") from diminutive of 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^[281][282]

Musth 

Hindi mast intoxicated, ruttish, from Persian mast; akin to Sanskrit 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.^[283]

Mussulman 

from Persinan musulman (adj.), from Arabic Muslim (q.v.) + Persian adj. suffix -an.^[284]

[edit] N

Nakhuda 

Etymology: Persian nākhudā, from nāv boat (from Old Persian) + khudā master, from Middle Persian khutāi. a master of a native vessel.^[285]

Namaz 

Etymology: Persian namāz. akin to Sanskrit namas obeisance. Islamic worship or prayer.^[286]

Naphtha 

Latin, from Greek, 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.^[287]

Nargil

Origin: 1830–40; < Turk nargile < Pers nārgīleh, deriv. of nārgīl coconut, from which the bowl was formerly made.^[288][289]

Nauruz

Persian 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.^[290]

Nay

Etymology: Arabic nay, from Persian. a vertical end-blown flute of ancient origin used in Muslim lands.^[291]

Neftgil

Etymology: German, from Persian naftdagil naphtha clay^[292]

Numdah

Etymology: Hindi namda, from Persian namad, from Middle Persian 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 ^[293]

Naan

Etymology: Hindi + Urdu + Persian 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.^[294]

Nuristani

Etymology: Persian nuristan (Arabic Nur+Persian Istan(Place)), from Nuristan, region of northeastern Afghanistan.^[295][289]

[edit] O

orange  

from Milanese narans, from Arabic nāranj, from Persian nārang, from Sanskrit nāraṅga, from some Dravidian language, possibly Tamil or Malayalam^[296]

[edit] P

Padishah

Origin: 1605–15; < Pers (poetical form), equiv. to pādi- (earlier pati) lord + shāh. More on Etymology: Persian pādishah, from Middle Persian pātakhshah, from Old Persian pati + 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).^[297][298]

Pagoda 

via Portuguese pagode, from a corruption of Pers. butkada, from but "idol" + kada "dwelling."^[289]

Pahlavi 

Etymology: Middle Persian Pahlavi. The Middle Persian language of Sassanid Persia. a script used for writing Pahlavi and other Middle Iranian languages.^[299]

Pajama

from Urdu/Hindi paajaama, from Persian pāë (pāÿ) jāmah, from pAy (="leg") + jAma (="garment"). of, pertaining to, or resembling pajamas: a pajama top; a lounging outfit with pajama pants^{[300][301][255]}

Pakistan

The persian word of "Land of the Pure"

Paneer

Hindi & Urdu panir, from Persian (Cheese). a soft uncured Indian cheese.^[302]

Papoosh

earlier papouch, from French, from Persian pāpush. BABOUCHE.^[303]

Para

Etymology: Turkish, from Persian 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.^[304]

Paradise 

from Greek paradeisos (=enclosed park"), from the Avestan word pairidaeza (a walled enclosure), which is a compound of pairi- (around), a cognate of the Greek περί 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.^[305][306]

Parasang 

Latin parasanga, from Greek parasanges, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian farsung parasang

any of various Persian units of distance; especially: an ancient unit of about four miles (six kilometers)^{[307][308][301]}

Pargana 

Etymology: Hindi pargana, from Persian. a group of towns in India constituting an administrative subdivision of the zillah.^[309]

Parsee 

Etymology: from O.Pers. parsi "Persian." In M.E., Parsees from Pârsi. Meaning Persian. Also Zoroastrian of India descended from Persian refugees fleeing Islam in the 7th century and settling principally at Bombay^[310][311]

Parthia 

from Latin< Old Persian parthava-, variant form of the stem Parsa-, from which Persia derives^[312]

Parthian 

see Parthia

Parthian shot 

originally a reference to the Parthian tactic of firing arrows at the enemy even when retreating. It has come to mean a verbal salvo given by the person leaving the area.

Pasar

 : Malay, from Persian bāzār. See bazar. an Indonesian public market.^[313]

Pasha 

Turkish paşa possibly from Persian pādshāh; see Padishah.^[301]

Pashm 

Etymology: pashm, pashim from Persian 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.^[314]

Pashmina 

from Pashmineh, made from pashm; pashm (= "wool"). the fine woolly underhair of goats raised in northern India.^[315]

Pashto

Persian pashtu, 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^[316]

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").^[317][318]

Percale

Persian pargālah. a firm smooth cotton cloth closely woven in plain weave and variously finished for clothing, sheeting, and industrial uses.^[319]

Percaline

French, from percale (from Persian 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.^[320]

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.^[321]

Persepolis 

from Pârsa+ Greek polis.

Persia

from Old Persian Pârsa

Persis 

from Old Persian Pârsa

Peshwa

Hindi & Marathi pesva, from Persian peshwa leader, guide, from pesh before. the chief minister of a Maratha prince.^[322]

Pilaf Origin

1925–30; < Turk pilâv < Pers pilāw. a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish.^[255]

Pir 

Etymology: Persian Pir (Old Man). a religious instructor, esp. in mystical sects.^[323][324]

Pistachio 

from Latin pistācium, from Greek πιστάκιον, from Persian 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.^[325]

Posteen

Persian pustin of leather, from pust skin, from Middle Persian. an Afghan pelisse made of leather with the fleece on.^[326]

Popinjay 

from O.Fr. papegai (12c.), from Sp. papagayo, from Ar. babagha', from Pers. babgha "parrot,"

Prophet Flower

translation of Persian 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^[327]

Punjab 

via Hindi Panjab, from Pers. panj "five" + ab "water.". of or relating to the Punjab or its inhabitants.^[328]

Purwannah

Hindi parwana, from Persian. a written pass or permit.^[329]

Pyke

Hindi pāyik, pāyak messenger, from Persian dialect England: a civilian at whose expense a soldier is treated or entertained.^[330]

Pyjama

Urdu/Hindi pajama from Persian: پاجامہ (pajama, literally, feet-garments). These are loose lightweight trousers formerly much worn in the Near East, a loose usually two-piece lightweight suit designed especially for sleeping or lounging. ^[331]

[edit] R

roc 

from Persian rukh (name of a legendary bird)

rook 

from Middle English rok, from Middle French roc, from Arabic rukh, from Persian رخ rukh (=chess piece)^[332]

rose 

from Latin rosa, probably from ancient Greek rhodon, possibly ult. from Pers. *varda-. Zie.^[333]

roxanne 

fem. proper name, from Fr., from L. Roxane, from Gk. Rhoxane, of Pers. origin (cf. Avestan raoxšna- "shining, bright").^[334]

[edit] S

Sabzi

Etymology: Hindi sabz, literally, greenness, from Persian. a green vegetable^[335]

Saffian

Etymology: Russian saf'yan, from Turkish sahtiyan, from Persian sakhtiyn goatskin, from sakht hard, strong. a leather made of goatskins or sheepskins tanned with sumac and dyed with bright colors.^[336]

Samosa

Etymology: Hindi samosa from Persian sambusa. a small triangular pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables and fried in ghee or oil^[337]

Sandal

Etymology: Arabic sandal, from Persian sandal skiff.^[338]

Saoshyat

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.^[339]

Sapindales 

from Persian Spand (اسپند)

Sarangousty

Etymology: Persian sar-angushti thin paste for painting the tips of fingers, from sari angusht fingertip, fromsar head + angusht finger, toe. stucco made waterproof for protection against dampness.^[340]

Sard from Persian زرد Zard.

Sarod

Etymology: Hindi sarod, from Persian.^[341]

Sarwan

Etymology: Persian saarbaan. a camel driver.^[342]

Satrap

governor of a province of ancient Persia, from Latin satrapes, from Greek satrapes, from Old Persian kshathrapavan-, lit. "guardian of the realm,"^[343]

scarlet 

from Pers. saqalat "a type of red cloth". a rich cloth of bright color. a vivid red that is yellower and slightly paler than apple red^[344]

Scimitar

Etymology: Middle French cimeterre, from Old Italian scimitarra, perhaps from Persian shamshir. a type of blade.^[345]

Sebesten

Etymology: Middle English, from Arabic sibistn, from Persian segpistan. an East Indian tree (Cordia myxa) with white flowers in loose terminal panicles.^[346]

Seer

Etymology: Hindi ser; perhaps akin to Persian seer. a unit of weight.^[347]

Seerpaw

Etymology: Sar(head)+paa(feet). head to foot.^[348]

Seersucker 

Pers. shir o shakkar "striped cloth," lit. "milk and sugar".^[349] Also from Sanskrit क्षीरशर्करा (kshirsharkara), or milk-sugar." ^[350]

Sepoy

Etymology: modification of Portuguese sipai, sipaio, from Hindi sipah, from Persian, 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.^[351]

Serai

Etymology: from Persian saraay, palace, mansion, inn.^[352]

Seraglio 

from sarây "inn"^[353]

Serang

Etymology: Persian sarhang commander, boatswain, from sar chief + hang authority. boatswain. the skipper of a small boat.^[354]

Serdab

Persian sardab ice cellar, from sard cold + ab water. a living room in the basement of a house in the Near East that provides coolness during the summer months^[355]

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 saisabaan, from Persian sisabaan. Either of two East Indian plants of the genus Sesbania (S. aculeata and S. aegyptiaca).^[356]

Setwall

Etymology: from Persian zaadwar.^[357]

Shabundar/Shabandar

Etymology: From Persian shahbandar, from shah King + bandar city, harbor.^[358]

Shah 

Etymology: from shāh, from Old Persian χšāyaþiya (="king"), from an Old Persian verb meaning "to rule"^[359]

Shahi

Etymology: Persian shahi. a former Persian unit of value equal to 1/20 silver kran; also: a corresponding coin of silver or copper or nickel^[360]

Shahidi

Etymology: Arabic Shahid (one who bears witness) + Persian suffix i.^[361]

Shahin

Etymology: Persiah 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^[362]

Shahzada

Etymology: Hindi shah-zada, from Persian, from shah king + zada son. The son of a Shah.^[363]

Shame

from Persian شرم (sharm).^[364]

Shamiana

Etymology: Hindi shamiyana, from Persian shamyanah. a cloth canopy^[365]

Shawl 

Etymology: from Persian shāl.^[366]

Sherristar

Etymology: from Hindi sarrishtadr, from Persian sarrishta(sarreshteh) record office + daar having. Registrar.^[367]

Sherry 

According to one theory, it is from Jerez in Spain, which itself comes from Pers Shiraz during the time of Rustamid empire in Spain.^[368] The theory is also mentioned by Professor. T.B. Irving in one of his book reviews^[369]

Sherryvallies

Etymology: modification of Polish szarawary, from Russian sharavary, from Greek sarabara loose trousers, probably of Iranian origin; akin to Persian shalwar, shulwar loose trousers. overalls or protective leggings of thick cloth or leather formerly worn for riding on horseback^[370]

Shikar

Etymology: Hindi sikar, from Persian shikaar, Middle Persian shkaar. The word means hunting.^[371]

Shikargah

Etymology: Hindi sikaargaah, from Persian shikrgaah, from shikaar hunting + -gah place. A grame preserve.^[372]

Shikari

Etymology: From Persian Shikar+Persian suffix (i) denoting possession. a big game hunter.^[373]

Shikasta

Etymology: Persian shikasta broken, from shikastan شكستن to break, from Middle Persian shikastan.^[374]

Shikra

Etymology: from Persian shikara bird trained to hunt. a small Indian hawk (Accipiter badius) sometimes used in falconry.^[375]

Simurgh 

Etymology: from Pers. simurgh, from Pahlavi sin "eagle" + murgh "bird." Cf. Avestan saeno merego "eagle," Skt. syenah "eagle," Arm. cin "kite.". a supernatural bird, rational and ancient, in Pers. mythology.^[376]

Sipahis

See Spahi and Sepoy.

Sircar

Etymology: Hindi sarkaar, from Persian 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.^[377]

Sitar 

Etymology: via Hindi sitar, from Pers. sitar "three-stringed," from sih/seh "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.^[378]

Softa 

Etymology: Turkish, from Persian sukhtah burnt, kindled (with love of knowledge).^[379]

Sogdian 

Etymology: Latin sogdianus, from Old Persian Sughuda. of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient Sogdiana.^[380]

Soorki

: Etymology: Hindi surkh, from Persian surkh, literally, redness, from surkh red, from Middle Persian sukhr; akin to Avestan suXra- bright, Sanskrit sukra^[381]

Sowar

Etymology: Persian suwar rider, from Middle Persian asbar, aspwar, from Old Persian asabra- horseman, from asa- horse + -bra- carried by, rider. a mounted orderly. Lancer.^[382]

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.^[383][384]

Spinach 

Etymology: Middle French espinache, espinage, from Old Spanish espinaca, from Arabic isbnakh, isfinaakh, from Persian aspanakh.^[385]

-Stan 

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,"^[386]

Subahdar

Etymology: Persian 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^[387]

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^[388][384]

Suclat

Etymology: Hindi suqlaa, from Persian saqalaat a rich cloth. In India any of various woolens; specifically European broadcloth.^[389]

Surma

Etymology: Persian Surma. native antimony sulfide used in India to darken the eyelids.^[390]

Surnay

Etymology: Persian Surnaay. a Middle Eastern and Central Asian oboe.^[391]

syagush

Persian siyah-gush, literally, black ear. Caracal.^[392]

Samosa

Etymology: Hindi samos & Urdu samosa, sambsa, from Persian sambusa.^[393]

[edit] T

Tabasheer

Etymology: Hindi tabshr, from Persian. a siliceous concretion in the joints of the bamboo valued in the East Indies as a medicine.^[394]

Tabor

Etymology: Middle English tabur, from Old French, alteration of tambur. See tambour.^[395]

Taffeta 

Etymology: from Persian taftah meaning woven.^[396]

Tahsildar

Etymology: Hindi tahsildar, from Persian, from Arabic tahsil + Persian -dar. a revenue officer in India.^[397]

Taj

Etymology: Arabic taj, from Persian taj, crown, crest, cap. a cap worn in Muslim countries; especially: a tall cone-shaped cap worn by dervishes.^[398]

Taj Mahal 

from Pers., lit. "the best of buildings;" or "the Crown's Place".

Tajikistan 

Tajik combined with Persian suffix -stan.^[8] Literally meaning "Land of Tajiks" in Persian.

Talc 

from Pers. talk "talc."

Tambour

Etymology: French, drum, from Middle French, from Arabic tanbur, modification (influenced by tunbur, a lute) of Persian tabir.^[399]

Tambourine 

See above.

Tanbur

Etymology: Persian Tambur.^[400]

Tangi

Etymology: Persian Tangi. a narrow gorge^[401]

Tandoori 

from tannur "oven, portable furnace,"+Persian suffix i.

Tapestry 

probably from an Iranian source (cf. Pers. taftan, tabidan "to turn, twist").^[402]

Tar

Etymology: Persian. An oriental lute.^[403]

Tarazet 

from (Shahin-e Tarazu) شاهین ترازو

Tass

Etymology: Middle French tasse, from Arabic tass, tassah, from Persian tast. a drinking cup or bowl.^[404]

Tebbad

Etymology: perhaps from Persian tab fever + bad wind, from Middle Persian vat; akin to Avestan vata- wind, Sanskrit vata.^[405]

Temacha

Etymology: Persian tamakhra joke, humor. a Persian comic or farcical interlude performed by traveling players.^[406]

Thanadar

Etymology: Hindi thandar, from than + Persian -dar having. the chief officer of a thana.^[407]

Tiara 

via Latin tiara from Persian تاره tara

Timar

Etymology: Turkish timar attendance, care, timar, from Persian tmr sorrow, care. a Turkish fief formerly held under condition of military service.^[408]

Tiger 

via Greek tigris from an Iranian source

Tigris 

From Middle Persian Tigr "arrow", originally from Old Persian Tigra "pointed" or "sharp"

Toque 

from O. Pers. taq "veil, shawl."

Tranky

Etymology: Persian dialect tranki. an undecked bark used in the Persian gulf.^[409]

Trehala

Etymology: probably from French tréhala, from Turkish tgala, from Persian tighal.^[410]

Tulip 

Etymology: any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa. from French tulipe, from Persian dulband.^[411]

Turan 

from Persian توران

Turanian

Etymology: Persian Turan Turkistan, the region north of the Oxus + English -ian. A member of any of the peoples of Ural-Altaic stock.^[412]

Turanite

Etymology: from Persian Turan + Russian -it' -ite. a basic vanadate of copper prob. Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4.^[413]

Turanose

Etymology: German turanos, from Persian Turan + German -os -ose; obtained by the partial hydrolysis of melezitose; 3-α-glucosyl-fructose^[414]

Turban 

from Persian dulband Band = To close, To tie.^[415]

Turkmenistan 

Turkmen combined with Persian suffix -stan.^[8] Literally meaning "Land of Turkmens" in Persian.

Typhoon  

Etymology: from Persian word Toofaan ( طوفان )

[edit] U

Uzbekistan 

Uzbek combined with Persian suffix -stan.^[8] Literally meaning "Land of Uzbeks" in Persian.

[edit] V

Vispered

Avestan vispa ratavo meaning all the lords. one of the supplementary ritual texts included in the Avestan sacred writings.^[416]

vizier 

وزير etymology disputed; general references often derive it from Arabic wazir, "viceroy", lit. "one who bears (the burden of office)", lit. "porter, carrier", from Arabic wazara, "he carried". However, Jared S. Klein derives it from Middle Persian vichir, from Avestan vicira, "arbitrator, judge".

[edit] X

Xerxes 

Gk. form of O. Pers. Kshayarshan-, lit. "male (i.e. 'hero') among kings," from Kshaya- "king" (cf. shah) + arshan "male, man."

[edit] Y

Yarak 

Etymology: From Persian 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.^[417]

Yasht

Modern Persian یشت from Avesta. Avestan yashtay adoration. one of the hymns to angels or lesser divinities forming part of the Avesta^[418]

.

Yuft

Etymology: Russian yuft', yukht', perhaps from Persian juft pair.^[419]

[edit] Z

Zamindar 

Etymology: zamindar, from Persian, from zamn land + -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^[420]

Zamindari

Etymology: from Persian, from zamindar.^[421]

Zanza 

Etymology: Arabic sanj castanets, cymbals, from Persian 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.^[422]

Zarathushtra or Zarathustra 

the Persian prophet

Zedoary

Etymology: Middle English zeduarie, from Medieval Latin zeduria, from Arabic 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.^[423]

Zenana

Etymology: From Persian 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.^[424]

Zena 

feminine given name from Persian Zan (woman).

Zerda

Etymology: Arabic zerdaw, probably of Persian origin. Fennec.^[425]

Zircon 

from Persian zargun زرگون, "gold-colored"^[426]

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 zanburah.^[427]

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• Online etymology dictionary
• Persian in English: Interaction of languages and cultures. by Mirfazaelian A., published by Farhang Moaser, Tehran, Iran 2006. (in Persian)

[edit] External links

For a list of words relating to with Persian language origins, see the Persian derivations category of words in Wiktionary, the free dictionary

• English words borrowed from Persian