This article will be concerned with loanwords, that is, words in English that derive from Persian, either directly, or more often, from one or more intermediary languages. Many words of

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

origin have made their way into the

English language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the is ...

through different, often circuitous, routes. Some of them, such as "

paradise In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradis ...

", date to cultural contacts between the

Persian people The Persians are an Iranian ethnic group who comprise over half of the population of Iran. They share a common cultural system and are native speakers of the Persian language as well as of the languages that are closely related to Persian. ...

and the ancient Greeks or Romans and through Greek and Latin found their way to English. The Persian language and culture preceded the invasion of Islam by force. This was carried out by the Muslim Rashidun Caliphate from 633 to 656 AD. At that time the Persian empire comprised 44% of the world’s population. Persian as the second important language of

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

has influenced many languages in the

Muslim world The terms Muslim world and Islamic world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is practiced. I ...

such as

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...

and Turkish, and its words have found their way beyond that region.

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

(

Persia Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

) remained largely impenetrable to English-speaking travelers well into the 19th century. Iran was protected from Europe by overland trade routes that passed through territory inhospitable to foreigners, while trade at Iranian ports in the

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf ( fa, خلیج فارس, translit=xalij-e fârs, lit=Gulf of Persis, Fars, ), sometimes called the ( ar, اَلْخَلِيْجُ ٱلْعَرَبِيُّ, Al-Khalīj al-ˁArabī), is a Mediterranean sea (oceanography), me ...

was in the hands of locals. In contrast, intrepid English traders operated in Mediterranean seaports of the

Levant The Levant () is an approximate historical geographical term referring to a large area in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Western Asia. In its narrowest sense, which is in use today in archaeology and other cultural contexts, it is eq ...

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 Ottoman Turkish ( ota, لِسانِ عُثمانى, Lisân-ı Osmânî, ; tr, Osmanlı Türkçesi) was the standardized register of the Turkish language used by the citizens of the Ottoman Empire (14th to 20th centuries CE). It borrowed extens ...

. Many Persian words also came into English through

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

British colonialism The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts est ...

. 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 The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages. Moors are not a distinct or se ...

-Christian cultural interface in the

Iberian peninsula The Iberian Peninsula (), ** * Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica'' ** ** * french: Péninsule Ibérique * mwl, Península Eibérica * eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...

during the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

thus being transmitted through Arabic.

A

;

Alfalfa Alfalfa () (''Medicago sativa''), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as w ...

: Etymology: Spanish, from Arabic ''al-faṣfaṣa'' : ''al-'', the + ''faṣfaṣa'', alfalfa (variant of ''fiṣfiṣa'', ultimately (probably via Coptic ''p-espesta'' : ''p-'', masculine sing. definite article + ''espesta'', alfalfa) from Aramaic ''espestā'' from Middle Persian ''aspast'', horse fodder. ; Amazons : via Old French (13c.) or Latin, from Greek Amazon (mostly in plural Amazones) "one of a race of female warriors in

Scythia Scythia (Scythian: ; Old Persian: ; Ancient Greek: ; Latin: ) or Scythica (Ancient Greek: ; Latin: ), also known as Pontic Scythia, was a kingdom created by the Scythians during the 6th to 3rd centuries BC in the Pontic–Caspian steppe. Hi ...

," possibly from an Iranian compound *ha-maz-an- "(one) fighting together". Or a borrowing from old Persian for a warring

Scythian The Scythians or Scyths, and sometimes also referred to as the Classical Scythians and the Pontic Scythians, were an ancient Eastern * : "In modern scholarship the name 'Sakas' is reserved for the ancient tribes of northern and eastern Centra ...

tribe ("ha-u-ma-va-r-(z)ga: 'lit. 'performing the

Haoma ''Haoma'' (; Avestan: 𐬵𐬀𐬊𐬨𐬀) is a divine plant in Zoroastrianism and in later Persian culture and mythology. ''Haoma'' has its origins in Indo-Iranian religion and is the cognate of Vedic ''soma''. Etymology Both Avestan ''haoma'' ...

plant ritual' "), ;

Assassin Assassination is the murder of a prominent or VIP, important person, such as a head of state, head of government, politician, world leader, member of a royal family or CEO. The murder of a celebrity, activist, or artist, though they may not ha ...

: : The original word in Persian: اساسیان Asaasiaan which is in two parts. 'Asaas' rabic for Foundation/Godand 'iaan' ersian adj. 'committed/plural'is the common name used to refer to Nizari Ismailis under the leadership of Hassan-i Sabbah who conducted a series of political assassinations. It is a common misconception that they were called Hashashim, which is supposed to imply that they were drugged on Hashish to do their martyrdom, because the opposition of the Ismaili groups wanted to tarnish their name. ; Azure : Middle English (denoting a blue dye): from Old French asur, azur, from medieval Latin azzurum, azolum, from Arabic al 'the' + lāzaward (from Persian lāžward 'lapis lazuli').: ;

Aubergine Eggplant ( US, Canada), aubergine ( UK, Ireland) or brinjal (Indian subcontinent, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. ''Solanum melongena'' is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. Mo ...

: Etymology: Catalan albergínia, from Arabic al-bādhinjān, from Persian Bādenjān بادنجان. ;

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of th ...

: :According to a modern etymology, the term Azerbaijan derives from the name of

Atropates Atropates ( peo, *Ātr̥pātaʰ and Middle Persian ; grc, Ἀτροπάτης ; c. 370 BC - after 321 BC) was a Persian nobleman who served Darius III, then Alexander the Great, and eventually founded an independent kingdom and dynasty that wa ...

, a Persian satrap under the Achaemenid Empire, who was later reinstated as the satrap of Media under Alexander of Macedonia. The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the once-dominant Zoroastrianism. :In Old Persian Azarbadgan or Azarbaygan means "The Land Protected By Holy Fire".

B

;

Babouche Babouche is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Réda Babouche (born 1979), Algerian footballer *Yacine Babouche (born 1978), Algerian footballer See also

*Aïn Babouche, a town and commune in Oum El Bouaghi Province, Algeria ...

:Etymology: from French ''babouche'' and Arabic بابوش, from Persian ''pāpoosh'' (پاپوش), from ''pa'' "foot" + ''poosh'' "covering." a chiefly oriental slipper made without heel or quarters."babouche", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; 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.' ;

Baksheesh ''Baksheesh'' or ' (from fa, بخشش ) is tipping, charitable giving, and certain forms of political corruption and bribery in the Middle East and South Asia. Etymology and usage ''Baksheesh'' comes from the Persian word (), which originat ...

: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"baksheesh", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; Balaghat: Etymology: probably from Hindi बालाघाट, from Persian بالا ''bālā'' 'above' + Hindi ''gaht'' 'pass.' tableland above mountain passes. ;

Baldachin A baldachin, or baldaquin (from it, baldacchino), is a canopy of state typically placed 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 hi ...

: "Baldachin" (called Baldac in older times) was originally a luxurious type of cloth from Baghdad, from which name the word is derived, through Italian "Baldacco". ; Balkans (region): Etymology: possibly from Persian ''balk'' 'mud' with Turkish suffix ''-an'', or Persian بالا ''bālā'' 'big, high, upper, above' + خانه ''khāna'' 'house, upperhouse, room'. ;

Ban (title) Ban () was a noble title used in several states in Central and Southeastern Europe between the 7th century and the 20th century. The most common examples have been found in Croatia. Sources The first known mention of the title ''ban'' is in the 1 ...

: "governor of Croatia," from Croatian ban "lord, master, ruler," from Persian baan (بان) "prince, lord, chief, governor""ban, n.2", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; Barbican: possibly from Persian (خانه khāneh "house")."barbican", OED ; 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. ; Bazaar : from Persian بازار ''bāzār'' (="market"). ; Bazigar: Etymology: hi, बाज़ीगर , from fa, 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 Veth (or ''Vethi'' or ''Vetti-chakiri'', from Sanskrit ''visti''), also known as Begar (from Persian), was a system of forced labour practised in the Indian subcontinent, in which members of populace were compelled to perform unpaid work for the ...

: Etymology: hi, बेगार , from fa, بیگار . Meaning forced labor. ; Begari: Etymology: hi, बेगार , from fa, بیگاری Meaning forced labor. ;

Beige Beige is variously described as a pale sandy fawn color, a grayish tan, a light-grayish yellowish brown, or a pale to grayish yellow. It takes its name from French, where the word originally meant natural wool that has been neither bleached nor ...

: Etymology: french: beige via , perhaps from cotton, from Medieval Latin , , from grc-x-medieval, βαμβάκ , , probably from a Turkish word represented now by 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)Belleric: Etymology: french: Bellérique, from ar, بالعلاج , from Persian بليله balilah, the fruit of the bahera. compare to MYROBALAN. ; Bellum: Etymology: modification of Persian بالم ''balam''. a Persian-gulf boat holding about eight persons and propelled by paddles or poles. ; Benami: Etymology:be(बे) means 'not'or 'without'.Hindi बेनाम ''benaam'', from Persian بنام ''banaam'' in the name of + i. made, held, done, or transacted in the name of. ;

Bezoar A bezoar is a mass often 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. There are several varieties of bezoar, s ...

: 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 --"bezoar", OED ;

Bheesty The Bhishti ( Hindustani: भिश्ती, بهِشتی) are a Muslim tribe or found in North India and Pakistan. History and origin They are classified as ''Ajlaf'' in the South Asian Muslim caste system. The bhisti are knows as Abbas ...

: 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. ; Bildar : Etymology: Hindi बेलदार beldar, from Persian بیلدر bildaar, from بیل bil spade + در -dar holder. Digger, Excavator. ;

Biryani Biryani () is a mixed rice dish originating among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It is made with Indian spices, rice, and usually some type of meat ( chicken, beef, goat, lamb, prawn, fish) or in some cases without any meat, ...

: 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 bawarchi. India: a male cook ; Bolor : Etymology: Mongolian Болор Bolour, from Persian بلور Booloor. Mongolian, Persian: Crystal ;

Bombast Padding is thin cushioned material sometimes added to clothes. Padding may also be referred to as batting when used as a layer in lining quilts or as a packaging or stuffing material. When padding is used in clothes, it is often done in an attempt ...

: 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 is a salt ( ionic compound), a hydrated borate of sodium, with chemical formula often written . It is a colorless crystalline solid, that dissolves in water to make a basic solution. It is commonly available in powder or granular for ...

: Etymology: Via

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

''boras,''

Anglo-Norman Anglo-Norman may refer to: *Anglo-Normans, the medieval ruling class in England following the Norman conquest of 1066 * Anglo-Norman language **Anglo-Norman literature * Anglo-Norman England, or Norman England, the period in English history from 10 ...

''boreis,''

Medieval Latin Medieval Latin was the form of Literary Latin used in Roman Catholic Western Europe during the Middle Ages. In this region it served as the primary written language, though local languages were also written to varying degrees. Latin functioned ...

''baurach,'' and

بورق ''báuraq''; ultimately from Persian بره ''burah'' or

Middle Persian Middle Persian or Pahlavi, also known by its endonym Pārsīk or Pārsīg () in its later form, is a Western Middle Iranian language which became the literary language of the Sasanian Empire. For some time after the Sasanian collapse, Middle ...

''būrak.'' the best-known sodium borate Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O"borax", OED ;

Bostanji A bostanji (also spelled bostandji or bostangi; from tr, bostancı, literally "gardener""bostanji."
''W ...

: 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 is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such ...

: Etymology: Perhaps ultimately from Pers. برنج birinj "copper.". ;

Brinjal Eggplant ( US, Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world' ...

: 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. ;

Bakshi Bakshi may refer to: Indian title Bakshi is a historical title used in India, deriving from Persian word for "paymaster", and originating as the title of an official responsible for distributing wages in Muslim armies. * Bakshi Ghulam Mohamma ...

: Etymology: Persian بخشی bakhshi, literally, giver, from bakhshidan to give. India: a military paymaster. ;

bulbul The bulbuls are members of a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds, which also includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, and bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical As ...

: 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 бурый 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) + انداز andāz thrower. an armed guard or policeman of 18th and 19th century India. ;

Buzkashi Buzkashi ( Pashto/ fa, بزکشی, lit=goat pulling) is a traditional Central Asian sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal. It is played primarily in Afghanistan. Similar games are known as kokpar, ...

: from Dary بز buz "goat" + کشی kashi "dragging""buzkashi", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien")

C

;

Cafcuh Mount Qaf, or Qaf-Kuh, also spelled Cafcuh and Kafkuh ( fa, قاف‌کوه), or Jabal Qaf, also spelled Djebel Qaf ( ar, جبل قاف), or ''Koh-i-Qaf'', also spelled ''Koh-Qaf'' and ''Kuh-i-Qaf'' or ''Kuh-e Qaf'' ( fa, کوہ قاف) is a legen ...

: from Persian ''qâfkuh'' (قاف‌کوه) or ''kuh-e qâf'' (کوه قاف) ;

Calabash Calabash (; ''Lagenaria siceraria''), also known as bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd, long melon, birdhouse gourd, New Guinea bean, Tasmania bean, and opo squash, is a vine grown for its fruit. It can be either harvested young to be consumed ...

: possibly from Persian ''kharabuz'', ''Kharbuzeh'' (خربزه) melon."calabash", OED ; 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 Candy, also called sweets (British English) or lollies (Australian English Australian English (AusE, AusEng, AuE, AuEng, en-AU) is the set of varieties of the English language native to Australia. It is the country's common language an ...

: 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 A carafe () is a glass container with a flared lip used for serving liquids, especially wine and coffee. Unlike the related decanter, carafes generally do not include stoppers. Coffee pots included in coffee makers are also referred to as ''car ...

:from Arabic ''gharafa'' (قرافه), "to pour"; or from Persian ''qarabah'', (قرابه) "a large

flagon A flagon () is a large leather, metal, glass, plastic or ceramic vessel, used for drink, whether this be water, ale, or another liquid. A flagon is typically of about in volume, and it has either a handle (when strictly it is a jug), or (more ...

""carafe", OED ; Caravan : Etymology: Italian caravana, carovana, from Persian کاروان kāravān. a company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants on a long journey through desert or hostile regions: a train of pack animals. ;

Caravansary A caravanserai (or caravansary; ) was a roadside Pub#Inns, inn where travelers (caravan (travellers), caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the ne ...

: 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 Carcass or Carcase (both pronounced ) may refer to: *Dressed carcass, the body of a livestock animal ready for butchery, after removal of skin, visceral organs, head, feet etc. *Carrion, the decaying dead body of an animal or human being *The str ...

: 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. ;

Cassock The cassock or soutane is a Christian clerical clothing coat used by the clergy and male religious of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, in addition to some clergy in certain Protestant denomi ...

: 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."cassock", OED ;

Caviar Caviar (also known as caviare; from fa, خاویار, khâvyâr, egg-bearing) is a food consisting of salt-cured roe of the family Acipenseridae. Caviar is considered a delicacy and is eaten as a garnish or a spread. Traditionally, the ter ...

: 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 A chādor ( Persian, ur, چادر, lit=tent), also variously spelled in English as chadah, chad(d)ar, chader, chud(d)ah, chadur, and naturalized as , is an outer garment or open cloak worn by many women in the Persian-influenced countries of I ...

: Hindi चद्दर 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 The chalaza (; from Greek "hailstone"; plural ''chalazas'' or ''chalazae'', ) is a structure inside bird eggs and plant ovules. It attaches or suspends the yolk or nucellus within the larger structure. In animals In the eggs of most birds (n ...

: 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 The Sasanian () or Sassanid Empire, officially known as the Empire of Iranians (, ) and also referred to by historians as the Neo-Persian Empire, was the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th-8th centuries AD. Named ...

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."check, int. and n.1", OED ;

Checkmate Checkmate (often shortened to mate) is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with ) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. In chess, the king is ...

: from Middle French ''eschec mat'', from Persian شاه مات ''shâh mât'' (="the King ("Shah") is dead")"checkmate, int. and n.", OED ;

Chess Chess is a board game for two players, called White and Black, each controlling an army of chess pieces in their color, with the objective to checkmate the opponent's king. It is sometimes called international chess or Western chess to disti ...

: from Russian Шах ''Shach'', from Persian شاه ''shah'' ("the King"), an abbreviation of شاه-مات Shâh-mât (Checkmate)."chess, n.1", OED ;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, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

: From Chinese 秦 (referring to the

Qin Dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first Dynasties in Chinese history, dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin (state), ...

), Sanskrit चीन ''

Chinas The Chinas, Cīna, or Chīnaḥ (Sanskrit चीनः (''cīna'')) are a people mentioned in ancient Indian literature from the first millennium BC and first millennium AD, such as the ''Mahabharata'', ''Manu Smriti, Laws of Manu'', and the Pura ...

,'' and Latin; Modification (influenced by China, the country) of Persian چین ''Cin'' (Chinese) porcelain.: Also, Japan and Korea are repeatedly referred as "MaaChin" in old Persian literature that literally means "beyond China". ; 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 Cinnabar (), or cinnabarite (), from the grc, κιννάβαρι (), is the bright scarlet to brick-red form of Mercury sulfide, mercury(II) sulfide (HgS). It is the most common source ore for refining mercury (element), elemental mercury and ...

: probably from Persian زنجیفرح ''zanjifrah''"cinnabar", OED ; 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 कलगी kalgi, from Persian کلگی kalgi jeweled plume. a jeweled plume worn in India on the turban. ;

Cummerbund A cummerbund is a broad waist sash, usually pleated, which is often worn with single-breasted dinner jackets (or ''tuxedos''). The cummerbund was adopted by British military officers in colonial India, where they saw it worn by sepoys (Indian so ...

: from Hindi कमरबंद ''kamarband'' (كمربند), from Persian کمر kamar (="waist") + بند band (="band")"cummerbund", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; Cushy : modification of Hindi खुश khush pleasant, from Persian خوش khush.

D

;

Daeva A daeva (Avestan: 𐬛𐬀𐬉𐬎𐬎𐬀 ''daēuua'') is a Zoroastrian supernatural entity with disagreeable characteristics. In the Gathas, the oldest texts of the Zoroastrian canon, the ''daeva''s are "gods that are (to be) rejected". Thi ...

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

dafadar Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

: From Persian دافءادار Daf'adaar. from Arabic دافئه daf'ah time, turn + Persian در -dar holder. ;

Daftar A ''defter'' (plural: ''defterler'') was a type of tax register and land cadastre in the Ottoman Empire. Description The information collected could vary, but ''tahrir defterleri'' typically included details of villages, dwellings, household ...

: 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 A ''dakhma'' ( fa, دخمه), also known as a Tower of Silence, is a circular, raised structure built by Zoroastrians for excarnation (that is, the exposure of human corpses to the elements for decomposition), in order to avert contaminat ...

: Etymology: Persian دخمه, from Middle Persian dakhmak, from Avestan daxma- funeral place. ;

Daroga Darogas (also spelled darogha or daroghah) were police officials in the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. In the Mughal Empire, a daroga was superintendent of the "slaves" of a Mughal monarch. Duties performed by daroga The darogas served in the ...

: 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 (meaning "tailor") is a profession which is done by the people of different religions and communities of the world for their livelihood or as business in modern times. Talking about the old times, the tailoring business can be seen among ...

: Hindi दर्जी darzi, from Persian درزی Darzi. A tailor or an urban caste of tailors in Hindu society in India. ;

Dastur A dastūr, sometimes spelt dustoor, is a term for a Zoroastrian high priest who has authority in religious matters and ranks higher than a mobad or herbad. In this specific sense, the term is used mostly among the Parsis of India. The term has also ...

: Hindi दस्तूर dastur custom, from Persian دستور Dastur. customary fee."dastur." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ;

: From Persian دستور Dastur. a Parsi high priest. ; Dasturi: Hindi दस्तूरी Dasturi from Persian دستور Dastur. Gratuity. ;

Defterdar This is a list of the top officials in charge of the finances of the Ottoman Empire, called ( Turkish for bookkeepers; from the Persian , + ) between the 14th and 19th centuries and ''Maliye Naziri'' (Minister of Finance) between 19th and 20th ...

: Turkish, from Persian دفتردار daftardar finance officer. a Turkish government officer of finance; specifically: the accountant general of a province. ;

Dehwar The Dehwar are an ethnic group of the Balochistan region of Pakistan and Iran. They have traditionally been settled agriculturalists (in contrast to the nomadic Baloch). They speak Dehwari a variety of Persian close to Dari Dari (, , ), al ...

: 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, Darvesh, or Darwīsh (from fa, درویش, ''Darvīsh'') in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity A fraternity (from Latin language, Latin ''wiktionary:frater, frater'': "brother (Christian), brother"; whence, ...

: 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"dervish", OED ;

Dewan ''Dewan'' (also known as ''diwan'', sometimes spelled ''devan'' or ''divan'') designated a powerful government official, minister, or ruler. A ''dewan'' was the head of a state institution of the same name (see Divan). Diwans belonged to the el ...

: Etymology: Hindi दीवान diwan, from Persian دوان, account book. ;

Demitasse A demitasse (; French: "half cup") or demi-tasse is a small cup used to serve espresso. It may also refer to the contents served in such a cup (though that usage had disappeared in France by the early 20th century). A demitasse typically has a ...

: 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 Div or DIV may refer to: Science and technology * Division (mathematics), the mathematical operation that is the inverse of multiplication * Span and div, HTML tags that implement generic elements * div, a C mathematical function * Divergence, ...

: See the Entry Daeva above. ;

Divan A divan or diwan ( fa, دیوان, ''dīvān''; from Sumerian ''dub'', clay tablet) was a high government ministry in various Islamic states, or its chief official (see ''dewan''). Etymology The word, recorded in English since 1586, meanin ...

: via French and Turkish divan, from Persian دیوان ''dēvān'' (="place of assembly", "roster"), from Old Persian دیپی ''dipi'' (="writing, document") + واهانم ''vahanam'' (="house")"divan", OED ;

Doab ''Doab'' () is a term used in South Asia Quote: "Originally and chiefly in South Asia: (the name of) a strip or narrow tract of land between two rivers; spec. (with) the area between the rivers Ganges and Jumna in northern India." for the tract ...

: 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 Dubber is a cloud based call recording software which operates as a software-as-service (SaaS) and voice data offering. Dubber was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2011 by James Slaney, Steve McGovern and Adrian Di Pietrantonio, and predominan ...

: 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 Durbar can refer to: * Conference of Rulers, a council of Malay monarchs * Durbar festival, a yearly festival in several towns of Nigeria * Durbar floor plate, a hot-rolled structural steel that has been designed to give excellent slip resistance ...

: 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. ; Inamdar: 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 The Euphrates () is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Tigris–Euphrates river system, Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia ( ''the land between the rivers'') ...

: From Old Persian ''Ufratu'' "Good to cross over"

F

;

Farsakh The parasang is a historical Iranian unit of walking distance, the length of which varied according to terrain and speed of travel. The European equivalent is the league. In modern terms the distance is about 3 or 3½ miles (4.8 or 5.6 km). His ...

: Arabic فرسخ ''farsakh'', from Persian ''farsang'' فرسنگ, from earlier ''parsang'' پرسنگ, a Persian metric unit approximately 6 kilometers or 3.75 miles. ;

Faujdar Faujdar is a term of pre-Mughal origins. Under the Mughals it was an office that combined the functions of a military commander along with judicial and land revenue functions. In pre-Mughal times, the term referred to a military officer but d ...

: 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 Farang ( fa, فرنگ) is a Persian (and Southeast Asian) word that originally referred to the Franks (the major Germanic tribe) and later came to refer to White Europeans in general. The word "Farang" is a cognate and originates from Old F ...

'- فرنگی -: from the word Frankish: a person from Europe. The first encounter with Western Europe was during

Charlemagne Charlemagne ( , ) or Charles the Great ( la, Carolus Magnus; german: Karl der Große; 2 April 747 – 28 January 814), a member of the Carolingian dynasty, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and the first Holy ...

who was King of Franks. From that time the word Farangi means European, especially Western European. Also after the first

Crusade The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Latin Church in the medieval period. The best known of these Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 that were i ...

this word appeared frequently in Persian and Arabic literature. (in Arabic as 'Faranji' because they could not pronounce /g/) . The

Ottoman Turks The Ottoman Turks ( tr, Osmanlı Türkleri), were the Turkic founding and sociopolitically the most dominant ethnic group of the Ottoman Empire ( 1299/1302–1922). Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks remains scarce, ...

pronounced it as Feringhee."Feringhee", OED ; 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 A firman ( fa, , translit=farmân; ), at the constitutional level, was a royal mandate or decree issued by a sovereign in an Islamic state. During various periods they were collected and applied as traditional bodies of law. The word firman com ...

: from Persian ''ferman'' فرمان, from Old Persian ''framaanaa'', a decree or mandate, order, license, or grant issued by the ruler of an Oriental country.;"firman", OED ; fitna: (Persian)

lovable

G

; Gatch : from Persian گچ (Gach), a plaster used especially in Persian architectural ornamentation. ; Galingale : from Persian خلنجان ''khalanjan'', a plant."galingale", OED ; Ghorkhar : from Persian گوره خر (Gureh Khar). a wild ass of northwestern India believed to be identical with the onager. ;

Giaour Giaour or Gawur (; tr, gâvur, ; from fa, گور ''gâvor'' an obsolete variant of modern گبر ''gaur'', originally derived from arc, 𐡂𐡁𐡓𐡀, ''gaḇrā'', man; person; ro, ghiaur; al, kaur; gr, γκιαούρης, gkiaoúris, ...

: from Pers. گور gaur, variant of gabr "fire-worshipper""giaour", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien")"Guebre", OED ; Gigerium: from Latin gigeria, plural, entrails of fowl, perhaps of Iranian origin; akin to Persian جگر jigar liver. ;

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 archosaurs (pterosaurs, crocodiles, alligators, dinosaurs, birds), earthworms, some gastropods, so ...

: 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 ''Delonix regia'' is a species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae native to Madagascar. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of orange-red flowers over summer. In many tropical par ...

: 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 Gymkhana () ( ur, جِمخانہ, sd, جمخانه, hi, जिमख़ाना, as, জিমখানা, bn, জিমখানা) is a British Raj term which originally referred to a place of assembly. The meaning then altered to den ...

: 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.: Hash : Comes from "Hashish" (حشیش) that means "weed derived drugs" in Persian. ;

Havildar Havildar or havaldar ( Hindustani: or (Devanagari), (Perso-Arabic)) is a rank in the Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese armies, equivalent to sergeant. It is not used in cavalry units, where the equivalent is daffadar. Like a British sergeant, ...

: 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 ;

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...

: from Persian

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

, derived from सिन्धु Sindhu, the Sanskrit name for the

Indus River The Indus ( ) is a transboundary river of Asia and a trans-Himalayan river of South and Central Asia. The river rises in mountain springs northeast of Mount Kailash in Western Tibet, flows northwest through the disputed region of Kashmir, ...

. literary language of northern India usually written in the Devanagari alphabet and one of the official languages of the Republic of India. ;

: from medieval Persian word هندو Hindu (mod. هندی Hendi), from ancient Avestan hendava ultimately from Sanskrit सैन्धव saindhava. "Indian""Hindu, Hindoo, n. and a.", OED ;

Hindustan ''Hindūstān'' ( , from '' Hindū'' and ''-stān''), also sometimes spelt as Hindōstān ( ''Indo-land''), along with its shortened form ''Hind'' (), is the Persian-language name for the Indian subcontinent that later became commonly used by ...

: 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 Homa may refer to: Places Ethiopia * Homa (woreda), a district in Oromia Region, Ethiopia Kenya * Homa Bay, a town and a bay on the shore of Lake Victoria in Kenya * Homa Mountain, a volcano near Homa Bay, Kenya Iran * Chal Homa, Mark ...

: 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, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

: from Persian هند ''Hind'', from Sanskrit सिन्धु ''Sindu'', a river, in particular, the river Indus."India", OED ;

: from Middle Persian ایر Ir (Aryan, Aria, Areia) + ان an (place) ; 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 Jackals are medium-sized canids native to Africa and Eurasia. While the word "jackal" has historically been used for many canines of the subtribe canina, in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related black-backed ...

: 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."jackal", OED ;

Jagir A jagir ( fa, , translit=Jāgir), also spelled as jageer, was a type of feudal land grant in the Indian subcontinent at the foundation of its Jagirdar (Zamindar) system. It developed during the Islamic rule era of the Indian subcontinent, start ...

: 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. ;

Jama ''The Journal of the American Medical Association'' (''JAMA'') is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of biom ...

: 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 Pajamas (American English, US) or pyjamas (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth) (), sometimes colloquially shortened to PJs, jammies, jam-jams, or in South Asia night suits, are several related types of clothing worn as night ...

. ;

Jasmine Jasmine ( taxonomic name: ''Jasminum''; , ) is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Jasmines are widely cultiva ...

: from ''yasmin'', the name of a climbing plant with fragrant flowers."jasmine, -in, jessamine, -in", OED ;

Jemadar Jemadar or jamadar is a title used for various military and other officials in the Indian subcontinent. Etymology The word stems from Urdu (), which derives through Persian ''jam'dar'' from Arabic ''jamā‘a(t)'' 'muster' + Persian ''-dār' ...

: 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. ;

Jasper Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or cryptocrystalline chalcedony and other mineral phases,Kostov, R. I. 2010. Review on the mineralogical systematics of jasper and related rocks. – Archaeometry Workshop, 7, 3, 209-213PDF/ref> ...

: The name means "spotted or speckled stone", and is derived via Old French ''jasrpe'' (variant of

''jaspe'') and Latin ''iaspidem'' (nom. ''iaspis'')) from

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

''iaspis'', (feminine noun) from a

Semitic language The Semitic languages are a branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are spoken by more than 330 million people across much of West Asia, the Horn of Africa, and latterly North Africa, Malta, West Africa, Chad, and in large immigrant a ...

(cf.

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

ישפה ''yashepheh'',

Akkadian Akkadian or Accadian may refer to: * Akkadians, inhabitants of the Akkadian Empire * Akkadian language, an extinct Eastern Semitic language * Akkadian literature, literature in this language * Akkadian cuneiform Cuneiform is a logo- syllabi ...

ܝܫܦܗ ''yashupu''), ultimately from

یشپ ''yašp''. ;

Jezail The jezail or ''jezzail'' ( ps, جزائل, ultimately from the plural form ar, جزایل, "long arrels) is a simple, cost-efficient and often handmade long arm commonly used in South Asia and parts of the Middle East in the past. It was popula ...

: Persian جزاءیل jaza'il. a long heavy Afghan rifle. ;

Jujube Jujube (), sometimes jujuba, known by the scientific name ''Ziziphus jujuba'' and also called red date, Chinese date, and Chinese jujube, is a species in the genus ''Ziziphus'' in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. Description It is a smal ...

: Greek ζίζυφον zizyphon, Persian زیزفون zayzafun, an Asiatic tree with datelike fruit. ; Julep : from گلاب ''gulab'' (rose(گل gul)-water(آب āb))."julep", OED

K

;

Kabob Kebab (, ; ar, كباب, link=no, Latn, ar, kabāb, ; tr, kebap, link=no, ) or kabob (North American) is a type of cooked meat dish that originates from cuisines of the Middle East. Many variants of the category are popular around the wor ...

: or kebab, possibly from Persian ''kabab'' کباب, or from identical forms in Arabic and Urdu"cabob", OED ;

Kabuli Kabul (; ps, , ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province; it is administratively divided into 22 municipal districts. Acco ...

: : Persian کابلی kabuli, of or belonging to

Kabul Kabul (; ps, , ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province; it is administratively divided into 22 municipal districts. Acco ...

, Afghanistan. ;

Kaftan A kaftan or caftan (; fa, خفتان, ) is a variant of the robe or tunic. Originating in Asia, it has been worn by a number of cultures around the world for thousands of years. In Russian usage, ''kaftan'' instead refers to a style of men's l ...

: from Persian خفتان ''khaftân''."caftan", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; 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 The Kamboj ( pa, ਕੰਬੋਜ ''Kamboj'', hi, कंबोज ''Kamboj''), also Kamboh ( ur, ALA-LC: ), is a cultivating community of the Punjab region of Pakistan and India, spanning a region from the Sutlej Valley to the north, the M ...

: Etymology: Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Kamboh as "a member of a low caste in the

Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...

engaged chiefly in agriculture". ;

Karez A qanat or kārīz is a system for transporting water from an aquifer or water well to the surface, through an underground aqueduct; the system originated approximately 3,000 BC in what is now Iran. The function is essentially the same across ...

: Etymology: کارز kârez an underground irrigation tunnel bored horizontally into rock slopes in Baluchistan. A system of irrigation by 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 The Ancistroidini are a tribe in the Hesperiinae subfamily of skipper butterflies. They are often blackish in base color; several of the genera contain the species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic ...

: Etymology: modification of Persian karranâi کرنای, from نی nâi, reed, reed pipe. a long Persian trumpet. ;

Kenaf Kenaf tymology: Persian ''Hibiscus cannabinus'', is a plant in the family Malvaceae also called Deccan hemp and Java jute. ''Hibiscus cannabinus'' is in the genus '' Hibiscus'' and is native to Africa, though its exact origin is unknown. The name ...

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

Khaki The color khaki (, ) is a light shade of tan with a slight yellowish tinge. Khaki has been used by many armies around the world for uniforms and equipment, particularly in arid or desert regions, where it provides camouflage relative to sandy ...

: from Hindustani and

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

"khaki", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; 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, a caravansary or rest house in some Asian countries., also defined the

Turko-Mongol The Turco-Mongol or Turko-Mongol tradition was an ethnocultural synthesis that arose in Asia during the 14th century, among the ruling elites of the Golden Horde and the Chagatai Khanate. The ruling Mongol elites of these Khanates eventually a ...

title Khan that was adapted to Persian language. ; Khankah: Etymology: Hindi खानकाह khânaqâh, from Persian خانه khâna house + گاه gâh place. ;

Khawaja Khawaja (Persian language, Persian: خواجه ''khvâjəh'') is an honorific title used across the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, particularly towards Sufi teachers. It is also used by Kashmiri Muslims and the Mizrah ...

: Etymology: originally from Persian khâwja خواجه. used as a title of respect. ; Khidmatgar: from Arabic خدمة khidmah service + Persian گر -gar (suffix denoting possession or agency). In India: a male waiter ;

Khoja The Khojas ( sd}; gu, ખોજા, hi, ख़ोजा) are a mainly Nizari Isma'ili Shia community of people originating in Gujarat, India. Derived from the Persian Khwaja, a term of honor, the word Khoja is used to refer to Lohana Rajput ...

: see ''khawaja'' ; 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 Historically, a kiosk () was a small garden pavilion open on some or all sides common in Iran, Persia, the Indian subcontinent, and in the Ottoman Empire from the 13th century onward. Today, several examples of this type of kiosk still exist ...

: from کوشک ''kushk'' (="palace, portico, pavilion") or Middle Persian gōšak "corner""kiosk", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ; 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 The Koh-i-Noor ( ; from ), also spelled Kohinoor and Koh-i-Nur, is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing . It is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The diamond is currently set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The ...

: 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"koh-i-noor", OED (marked as "not naturalized, alien") ;

Kotwal The Kotwal also spelled as Cotwal, or Kotval 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 functio ...

: 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 A ''kurta'' is a loose collarless shirt or tunic worn in many regions of South Asia, (subscription required) Quote: "A loose shirt or tunic worn by men and women." Quote: "Kurta: a loose shirt without a collar, worn by women and men from South ...

: 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.

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Lac Lac is the resinous secretion of a number of species of lac insects, of which the most commonly cultivated is ''Kerria lacca''. Cultivation begins when a farmer gets a stick that contains eggs ready to hatch and ties it to the tree to be infes ...

: 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 A lascar was a sailor or militiaman from the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Arab world, British Somaliland, or other land east of the Cape of Good Hope, who was employed on European ships from the 16th century until the middle of the 2 ...

: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. ;

Lemon The lemon (''Citrus limon'') is a species of small evergreen trees in the flowering plant family Rutaceae, native to Asia, primarily Northeast India (Assam), Northern Myanmar or China. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culin ...

: 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.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 لیمو līmū.'' ;

Lilac ''Syringa'' is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering plant, flowering woody plants in the olive family or Oleaceae called lilacs. These lilacs are native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and wid ...

: from Pers. لیلک ''lilak'', variant of نیلک nilak "bluish," from नील nil "indigo""lilac", OED ; 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

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Magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

: 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."magic." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ;

Magus Magi (; singular magus ; from Latin '' magus'', cf. fa, مغ ) were priests in Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of the western Iranians. The earliest known use of the word ''magi'' is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius th ...

magi Magi (; singular magus ; from Latin ''magus'', cf. fa, مغ ) were priests in Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of the western Iranians. The earliest known use of the word ''magi'' is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius th ...

: from ''magus'', from Old Persian ''maguš'' "mighty one",

Priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...

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."Magus", OED> ; Malguzar : Hindi मालगुजार malguzar, from Arabic مال mal property, rent + Persian گزار guzar payer. Equivalent to Malik in India. ;

Manichaean Manichaeism (; in New Persian ; ) is a former major religionR. van den Broek, Wouter J. Hanegraaff ''Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times''SUNY Press, 1998 p. 37 founded in the 3rd century AD by the Parthian Empire, Parthian ...

: Latin Manichaeus member of the Manichaean 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. Manichaeism was founded by

Mani Mani may refer to: Geography * Maní, Casanare, a town and municipality in Casanare Department, Colombia * Mani, Chad, a town and sub-prefecture in Chad * Mani, Evros, a village in northeastern Greece * Mani, Karnataka, a village in Dakshi ...

. ;

Manticore The manticore or mantichore (Latin: ''mantichōra''; reconstructed Old Persian: ; Modern fa, مردخوار ) is a Persian legendary creature similar to the Egyptian sphinx that proliferated in western European medieval art as well. It has the ...

: 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."manticore", OED ; Margaret: The common female first name, is derived from the

Old Persian Old Persian is one of the two directly attested Old Iranian languages (the other being Avestan language, Avestan) and is the ancestor of Middle Persian (the language of Sasanian Empire). Like other Old Iranian languages, it was known to its native ...

word for

pearl A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk or another animal, such as fossil conulariids. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is composed of calcium carb ...

''*margārīta-'', via French (''Marguerite''), Latin (''Margarita''), and Greek ''Margarites'' (compare

Modern Persian New Persian ( fa, فارسی نو), also known as Modern Persian () and Dari (), is the current stage of the Persian language spoken since the 8th to 9th centuries until now in Greater Iran and surroundings. It is conventionally divided into thre ...

''morvārīd'' "pearl") ;

Markhor The markhor (''Capra falconeri'') is a large ''Capra'' species native to Central Asia, the Karakoram, and the Himalayas. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened since 2015. The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan, where it ...

: 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 ( fa, مزدک, Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭦𐭣𐭪, also Mazdak the Younger; died c. 524 or 528) was a Zoroastrian ''mobad'' (priest), Iranian reformer, prophet and religious reformer who gained influence during the reign of the Sasanian empe ...

: Name of Persian reformer of Zoroastrian Faith. ;

Mazdakite Mazdakism was an Iranian religion, which was an offshoot of Zoroastrianism. The religion has been called one of the most noteworthy examples of pre-modern communism. The religion was founded in the early Sasanian Empire by Zardusht, a Zoroas ...

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

. ;

Mazdoor ''Mazdoor'' (English: ''Worker'') is a 1983 Hindi film. Produced by B. R. Chopra it is directed by his son Ravi Chopra. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nanda, Raj Babbar, Suresh Oberoi, Rati Agnihotri, Padmini Kolhapure, Iftekhar, Madan Puri an ...

: 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 مهتر 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'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Calophyllaceae,Stephens, P.F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 9, June 2008. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/APweb/ native to tropical southern Asia. Common names inc ...

: 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 may refer to: * Mirza, Kamrup, town in Assam, India * Mirza (name), historical royal title & noble * ''Mirza'', the genus of giant mouse lemur * "Mirza", song by Nino Ferrer * ''Mirza – The Untold Story'', Punjabi action romance film wri ...

: 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 ( ae, ''Miθra'', peo, 𐎷𐎰𐎼 ''Miça'') commonly known as Mehr, is the Iranian deity of covenant, light, oath, justice and the sun. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing ...

: from the name of the Persian God Mithra."mithras", OED ;

Mithraeum A Mithraeum , sometimes spelled Mithreum and Mithraion ( grc, Μιθραίον), is a Mithraic temple, erected in classical antiquity by the worshippers of Mithras. Most Mithraea can be dated between 100 BC and 300 AD, mostly in the Roman Emp ...

: from Persian مطهرا Mithra"Mithraeum", OED ;

Mithraism Mithraism, also known as the Mithraic mysteries or the Cult of Mithras, was a Roman mystery religion centered on the god Mithras. Although inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian divinity (''yazata'') Mithra, the Roman Mithras is linke ...

: from Persian مطهرا Mithra"Mithraism", OED ;

Mobed A Mobed, Mowbed, or Mobad (Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭢𐭥𐭯𐭲) is a Zoroastrian cleric of a particular rank. Unlike an ''herbad'' (''ervad''), a ''mobed'' is qualified to serve as celebrant priest at the Yasna ceremony and other higher liturgical ...

: a Parsi priest. The word is cognate with Magian and Magus. ;

Mogul Mogul may refer to: History *Mughal Empire, or any member of its ruling dynasty Persons * Magnate ** Mogul, Secret Service codename for President Trump ** Business magnate, a prominent person in a particular industry **Media mogul, a person who ...

: from مغول ''mughul'' (="Mongolian")"Mogul, n.1 and a.", OED ;

Mohur The Mohur is a gold coin that was formerly minted by several governments, including British India and some of the princely states which existed alongside it, the Mughal Empire, Kingdom of Nepal, and Persia (chiefly Afghanistan). It was usually ...

: 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 A mummy is a dead human or an animal whose soft tissues and organs have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay fu ...

: 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 Musk (Persian: مشک, ''Mushk'') 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 sub ...

: from Middle English muske, Middle French musc, Late Latin Muscus, and Late Greek ''μόσχος'' (''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"musk, ''n''.", OED ;

Musth Musth or must (from Persian, )''The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus: American edition'', published 1996 by Oxford University Press; p. 984 is a periodic condition in bull (male) elephants characterized by aggressive behavior and accompanied by ...

: 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 Mussulman, or variants, may refer to: * An archaic or foreign-language term for a Muslim People *Bill Musselman (1940–2000), American basketball coach *Eric Musselman (born 1964), American basketball coach *Jeff Musselman (born 1963), American ...

: from Persinan مسلمان musulman (adj.), from Arabic مسلم Muslim (q.v.) + Persian adj. suffix -an."Mussulman, ''n''. and ''a.''", OED

N

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Naan Naan ( fa, نان, nān, ur, , ps, نان, ug, نان, hi, नान, bn, নান) is a leavened, oven-baked or tawa-fried flatbread which is found in the cuisines mainly of Western Asia, Central Asia, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Ma ...

: 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 (when Anglicised, also written Nakhodeh, Nakhudah, Nakhooda, Nakhoda, Nakhodi) is a term originating from the Persian language which literally means Captain. Derived from nāv boat (from Old Persian) + khudā master, from Middle Persian khu ...

: 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 (, plural , romanized: or Old Arabic ͡sˤaˈloːh, ( or Old Arabic ͡sˤaˈloːtʰin construct state) ), also known as ( fa, نماز) and also spelled , are prayers performed by Muslims. Facing the , the direction of the Kaaba ...

: Etymology: Persian نماز namāz. akin to Sanskrit नमस् namas obeisance. Islamic worship or prayer. ;

Naphtha Naphtha ( or ) is a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture. Mixtures labelled ''naphtha'' have been produced from natural gas condensates, petroleum distillates, and the distillation of coal tar and peat. In different industries and regions ''n ...

: 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.Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. ;

Nauruz Nowruz ( fa, نوروز, ; ), zh, 诺鲁孜节, ug, نەۋروز, ka, ნოვრუზ, ku, Newroz, he, נורוז, kk, Наурыз, ky, Нооруз, mn, Наурыз, ur, نوروز, tg, Наврӯз, tr, Nevruz, tk, Nowruz, ...

: 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 '' ; Nugget: Nuggets / Nougat (French pronunciation: uɡa Azerbaijani: لوکا) from Persian: Nughah (نوقا) ; Nuristani: Etymology: Persian nuristan نورستان (Parsi نور Noorr+Persian عشتا Istan(Place)), from Nuristan, region of northeastern Afghanistan.

O

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Orange Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower *Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum * ...

: from Milanese ''narans'' (from Old French orenge, Italian arancia, and Spanish naranja), from Medieval Latin pomum de orange, in Arabic نارنج ''nāranj'', from Persian نارنگ ''nārange'', from Sanskrit नारङ्ग ''nāraṅga'', from

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

''narrankai'', the "

pungent Pungency () refers to the taste of food commonly referred to as spiciness, hotness or heat, found in foods such as chili peppers. Highly pungent tastes may be experienced as unpleasant. The term piquancy () is sometimes applied to foods with a l ...

fruit":"orange, ''n.¹'' and ''a.¹''", OED Orange (the color) comes from "nāranjy" in Persian that means "colored like ''nārange''" and the

tangerine The tangerine is a type of citrus fruit that is orange in color. Its scientific name varies. It has been treated as a separate species under the name ''Citrus tangerina'' or ''Citrus'' × ''tangerina'', or treated as a variety of ''Citrus retic ...

fruit is called nārangy (نارنگی).

P

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Padishah Padishah ( fa, پادشاه; ; from Persian: r Old Persian: *">Old_Persian.html" ;"title="r Old Persian">r Old Persian: * 'master', and ''shāh'', 'king'), sometimes Romanization of Persian, romanised as padeshah or padshah ( fa, پادشاه; ...

: 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 A pagoda is an Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist but sometimes Taoist, ...

: 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. ;

: from Urdu/Hindi पैजामा ''paajaama'', from Persian پايجامه - پا جامه ''pāë (pāÿ) jāmah'', from ''pAy'' (="leg") + ''jAma'' (="garment"). of, pertaining to, or resembling pajamas: a pajama top; a lounging outfit with pajama pantsThe American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition ;

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

: From پاکستان; the Persian word of ''"Land of the Pure"'' ;

Paneer Paneer (), also known as ponir () is a fresh acid-set cheese common in the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) made from full-fat buffalo milk or cow milk. It is a non-aged, non-melting soft ...

: 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. ;

Para Para, or PARA, may refer to: Businesses and organizations * Paramount Global, traded as PARA on the Nasdaq stock exchange * Para Group, the former name of CT Corp * Para Rubber, now Skellerup, a New Zealand manufacturer * Para USA, formerly ...

: 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 In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradis ...

:via French: "paradis" and Latin: "paradisus," from Greek ''paradeisos'' (παράδεισος) (=enclosed park"), from the

Avestan Avestan (), or historically Zend, is an umbrella term for two Old Iranian languages: Old Avestan (spoken in the 2nd millennium BCE) and Younger Avestan (spoken in the 1st millennium BCE). They are known only from their conjoined use as the scrip ...

word ''pairidaeza'' (a walled enclosure), which is a compound of ''pairi-'' (around), a cognate of the

' ''peri-,'' and ''-diz'' (to create, make), a cognate of the English ''dough''. An associated word is the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

word ''paradesha'' which literally means ''supreme country''. ;

Parasang The parasang is a historical Iranian unit of walking distance, the length of which varied according to terrain and speed of travel. The European equivalent is the league. In modern terms the distance is about 3 or 3½ miles (4.8 or 5.6 km). His ...

: 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 ( bn, পরগনা, , hi, परगना, ur, پرگنہ) or parganah, also spelt pergunnah during the time of the Sultanate period, Mughal times and British Raj, is a former administrative unit of the Indian subcontinent and each ...

: Etymology: Hindi परंगा pargana, from Persian. a group of towns in India constituting an administrative subdivision of the zillah. ;

Parsee Parsis () or Parsees are an ethnoreligious group of the Indian subcontinent adhering to Zoroastrianism. They are descended from Persians who migrated to Medieval India during and after the Arab conquest of Iran (part of the early Muslim co ...

: 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, Pacha or Paşa ( ota, پاشا; tr, paşa; sq, Pashë; ar, باشا), in older works sometimes anglicized as bashaw, was a higher rank in the Ottoman Empire, Ottoman political and military system, typically granted to governors, gener ...

: 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 (, ) refers to, depending on the source, a term for cashmere wool of the Changthangi cashmere goat,Janet Rizvi: ''Pashmina: The Kashmir Shawl and Beyond''. Marg Foundation, 2009. ISBN 978-8185026909. for fine Indian cashmere woolRobert ...

: from ''Pashmineh'', made from پشم pashm; pashm (= "wool"). the fine woolly underhair of goats raised in northern India. ; ps, 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 ;

Path A path is a route for physical travel – see Trail. Path or PATH may also refer to: Physical paths of different types * Bicycle path * Bridle path, used by people on horseback * Course (navigation), the intended path of a vehicle * Desire p ...

: Common Germanic. This word cannot be descended directly from Indo-European, as Indo-European words in ''p-'' become ''-f'' in Germanic. The most widely accepted theory sees this word as a borrowing from Iranian, in which Indo-European ''p-'' is preserved, and there is alternation between forms with ''-t-'' and forms with ''-θ-''; compare Avestan ''pantā'' (nominative), ''paθō'' (genitive) way, Old Persian ''pathi-''. This explanation does however pose historical problems, given the limited distribution of the Germanic word."path", OED ;

Peach The peach (''Prunus persica'') is a deciduous tree first domesticated and cultivated in Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and others (the glossy-skinned, non-fu ...

: 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 Classification is a process related to categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated and understood. Classification is the grouping of related facts into classes. It may also refer to: Business, organizat ...

''Prunus persica'', a neologism describing the peach tree itself (from the Latin prunus, -i which signifies "

plum A plum is a fruit of some species in ''Prunus'' subg. ''Prunus'.'' Dried plums are called prunes. History Plums may have been one of the first fruits domesticated by humans. Three of the most abundantly cultivated species are not found i ...

tree").peach, OED. ;

Percale Percale is a closely woven plain-weave fabric often used for bed covers. Percale has a thread count of about 200 or higher and is noticeably tighter than the standard type of weave used for bedsheets. It has medium weight, is firm and smooth w ...

: 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 پری (''pari'') 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 , native_name_lang = , alternate_name = , image = Gate of All Nations, Persepolis.jpg , image_size = , alt = , caption = Ruins of the Gate of All Nations, Persepolis. , map = , map_type ...

: from 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 ''Pârsa''+ Greek πόλεις ''polis''. ;

: via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa ;

Persis Persis ( grc-gre, , ''Persís''), better known in English as Persia ( Old Persian: 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿, ''Parsa''; fa, پارس, ''Pârs''), or Persia proper, is the Fars region, located to the southwest of modern-day Iran, now a province. T ...

: via Latin and Greek Περσίς, ultimately from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 Pârsa ;

Peshwa The Peshwa (Pronunciation: e(ː)ʃʋaː was the appointed (later becoming hereditary) prime minister of the Maratha Empire of the Indian subcontinent. Originally, the Peshwas served as subordinates to the Chhatrapati (the Maratha king); later, ...

: Hindi & Marathi पेशवा pesva, from Persian پشه peshwa leader, guide, from pesh before. the chief minister of a Maratha prince. ;

Pilaf Pilaf ( US spelling) or pilau ( UK spelling) is a rice dish, or in some regions, a wheat dish, whose recipe usually involves cooking in stock or broth, adding spices, and other ingredients such as vegetables or meat, and employing some techniq ...

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 The pistachio (, ''Pistacia vera''), a member of the cashew family, is a small tree originating from Central Asia and the Middle East. The tree produces seeds that are widely consumed as food. ''Pistacia vera'' is often confused with other sp ...

: 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 Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 Common Era, CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Muhammad in Islam, Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet Divine inspiration, di ...

). an East Indian perennial herb (Arnebia echioides) having yellow flowers marked with five spots that fade after a few hours; also: a related annual ;

: 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 Pajamas ( US) or pyjamas (Commonwealth) (), sometimes colloquially shortened to PJs, jammies, jam-jams, or in South Asia night suits, are several related types of clothing worn as nightwear or while lounging or performing remote work from hom ...

: 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

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Rank Rank is the relative position, value, worth, complexity, power, importance, authority, level, etc. of a person or object within a ranking, such as: Level or position in a hierarchical organization * Academic rank * Diplomatic rank * Hierarchy * H ...

: 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 (''Corvus frugilegus'') is a bird of the corvid family. Rook or rooks may also refer to: Games *Rook (chess), a piece in chess *Rook (card game), a trick-taking card game Military * Sukhoi Su-25 or Rook, a close air support aircraft * USS ...

: from Middle English ''rok'', from Middle French ''roc'', from Arabic روخ ''rukh'', from Persian رخ ''rukh'' (=chess piece) ;

rose A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can be ...

: 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. ;

Saffron Saffron () is a spice derived from the flower of ''Crocus sativus'', commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent i ...

: Etymology: Anglo-French saffron, safren, from Medieval Latin safranum, from Arabic زعفران zaʽfarān, from Persian: زرپران zarparān gold strung. ;

Samosa A samosa () or singara is a fried Indian pastry with a savory filling, including ingredients such as spiced potatoes, onions, and peas. It may take different forms, including triangular, cone, or half-moon shapes, depending on the region. Samo ...

: 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 Sandals are an open type of footwear, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can some ...

: Etymology: Arabic صندل sandal, from Persian صندل sandal skiff. ;

Saoshyant Saoshyanet (Avestan: 𐬯𐬀𐬊𐬳𐬌𐬌𐬀𐬧𐬝 saoš́iiaṇt̰) is the Avestan language expression that literally means "one who brings benefit", and which is used in several different ways in Zoroastrian scripture and tradition. In par ...

: 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 is 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. The APG III system of 2009 includes it ...

: from Persian Spand (اسپند) ; Sarangousty: Etymology: Persian سرانگشتی sar-angushti thin paste for painting the tips of fingers, from سر انگشت ''sar-e angosht'', "fingertip", سر ''sar'' "head" + انگشت ''angosht'' "finger", "toe". stucco made waterproof for protection against dampness. ;

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 The company was formed in 1972 as Sigma Automotive Co., Ltd by Shin Kato to develop and ...

from Persian زرد ''zard''. ;

Sarod The sarod is a stringed instrument, used in Hindustani music on the Indian subcontinent. Along with the sitar, it is among the most popular and prominent instruments. It is known for a deep, weighty, introspective sound, in contrast with the sweet ...

: Etymology: Hindi सरोद sarod, from Persian: سرود. ; Sarwan: Etymology: Persian ساربان saarbaan. a camel driver. ;

Satrap A satrap () was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic empires. The satrap served as viceroy to the king, though with consid ...

: ''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. سقرلات ''saqerlât'' "a type of red cloth". a rich cloth of bright color. a vivid red that is yellower and slightly paler than apple red ;

Scimitar A scimitar ( or ) is a single-edged sword with a convex curved blade associated with Middle Eastern, South Asian, or North African cultures. A European term, ''scimitar'' does not refer to one specific sword type, but an assortment of different ...

: Etymology: Middle French cimeterre, from Old Italian scimitarra, perhaps from Persian شمشیر shamshir. a type of blade. ;

Sebesten ''Cordia myxa'', the Assyrian plum, is a mid-sized, deciduous tree in the borage family (Boraginaceae), native to Asia. It produces small, edible fruit and is found in warmer areas across Africa and Asia. Other common names include lasura, lav ...

: 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 In the United States, the efficiency of air conditioners is often rated by the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) which is defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, a trade association, in its 2008 standard AHR ...

: 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 ''Sepoy'' () was the Persian-derived designation originally given to a professional Indian infantryman, traditionally armed with a musket, in the armies of the Mughal Empire. In the 18th century, the French East India Company and its oth ...

: Etymology: modification of Portuguese sipai, sipaio, from Hindi सिपाह sipah, from Persian سپاهی

Sipahi ''Sipahi'' ( ota, سپاهی, translit=sipâhi, label=Persian, ) were professional cavalrymen deployed by the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuks, and later the Ottoman Empire, including the land grant-holding (''timar'') provincial ''Timariots, timarli s ...

, 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 A seraglio, serail, seray or saray (from fa, سرای, sarāy, palace, via Turkish and Italian) is a castle, palace or government building which was considered to have particular administrative importance in various parts of the former Ott ...

: from سرای ''sarây'' "inn" ;

Serang Serang ( id, Kota Serang, , Sundanese: ) is a city and the capital of Banten province and was formerly also the administrative center of Serang Regency in Indonesia (the Regency's capital is now at Baros). The city is located towards the north ...

: Etymology: Persian سرهنگ sarhang commander, boatswain, from سر sar chief + هنگ hang authority. boatswain. the skipper of a small boat. ;

Serdab A serdab ( fa, سرداب, d=Sardāb), literally meaning "cold water", which became a loanword in Arabic 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 Kin ...

: 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 is an unplanned fortunate discovery. Serendipity is a common occurrence throughout the history of product invention and scientific discovery. Etymology The first noted use of "serendipity" was by Horace Walpole on 28 January 1754. I ...

: 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 (; fa, شاه, , ) is a royal title that was historically used by the leading figures of Iranian monarchies.Yarshater, EhsaPersia or Iran, Persian or Farsi, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII no. 1 (1989) It was also used by a variety of ...

: 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 Shahidi ( fa, شهیدی) is a common surname in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Like the given name Shahid, it is a Muslim theophoric name, from '' Aš-Šāhid'' (), one of the 99 names of God in the Qur'an. It is derived from ''šāhid '', t ...

: Etymology: Arabic شهيد Shahid (one who bears witness) + Persian suffix ی i. ; Shahin: Etymology: Persian شاهین shahin (falcon). An Indian falcon (''

Falco peregrinus peregrinator The shaheen falcon (''Falco peregrinus peregrinator'') is a non-migratory subspecies of the peregrine falcon found mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It has also been described as a migratory subspecies. Describes subspecies ''peregrinator'' "f ...

'') 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 A ''shamiana'' ( Bengali: শামিয়ানা, Urdu: شامیانہ ) is a South Asian ceremonial tent, shelter or awning, commonly used for outdoor parties, weddings, feasts etc. Its side walls are removable. The external fabric can ...

: Etymology: Hindi शामियाना shamiyana, from Persian شامیانه shamyanah. a cloth canopy ;

Shawl A shawl (from fa, شال ''shāl'',) is a simple item of clothing from Kashmir, 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, which is often folde ...

: Etymology: from Persian شال ''shāl''. ; Sherristar: Etymology: from Hindi सर्रिश्ताद्र sarrishtadr, from Persian سررشته sarrishta(sarreshteh) record office + دار daar having. Registrar. ;

Sherry Sherry ( es, jerez ) is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, ranging from light versi ...

: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 شکارگاه 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 ''Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta'' (often shortened to ''Shikasta'') is a 1979 science fiction novel by Doris Lessing, and is the first book in her five-book ''Canopus in Argos'' series. It was first published in the United States in Decem ...

: Etymology: Persian شکسته shikasta broken, from shikastan شكستن to break, from Middle Persian shikastan. ;

Shikra The shikra (''Accipiter badius'') 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 usual ...

: Etymology: from Persian شکرا shikara bird trained to hunt. a small Indian hawk (Accipiter badius) sometimes used in falconry. ;

Simurgh Simurgh (; fa, سیمرغ, also spelled ''simorgh, simorg'', ''simurg'', ''simoorg, simorq'' or ''simourv'') is a benevolent, mythical bird in Persian mythology and literature. It is sometimes equated with other mythological birds such as the ...

: 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 ''Sipahi'' ( ota, سپاهی, translit=sipâhi, label=Persian, ) were professional cavalrymen deployed by the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuks, and later the Ottoman Empire, including the land grant-holding (''timar'') provincial ''Timariots, timarli s ...

: See Spahi and Sepoy. ;

Sircar Sircar is the surname of: * Birendranath Sircar (1901–1980), Indian film producer and the founder of New Theatres, Calcutta * Dineshchandra Sircar (1907–1985), Indian epigraphist, historian, numismatist and folklorist * Joydeep Sircar (born 19 ...

: 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 The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form in ...

: 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 Sowar ( ur, سوار, also ''siwar'' meaning "the one who rides" or "rider", from Persian ) was originally a rank during the Mughal Empire and Maratha Empire. Later during the British Raj it was the name in Anglo-Indian usage for a horse-soldi ...

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

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 ...

: Etymology: Middle French spahi, from Turkish sipahi, from Persian سپاه from Pahlavi spāh, from Old Persian taxma spāda, from

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.

Dehkhoda Dictionary The ''Dehkhoda Dictionary'' ( fa, لغت‌نامهٔ دهخدا) is the largest comprehensive Persian encyclopedic dictionary ever published, comprising 200 volumes. It is published by the Tehran University Press (UTP) under the supervision of ...

;

Spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...

: Etymology: Middle French espinache, espinage, from Old Spanish espinaca, from Arabic يسبناخ, يسفينآخ isbnakh, isfinaakh, from Persian اسپاخ aspanakh. ;

Squinch In architecture, a squinch is a triangular corner that supports the base of a dome. Its visual purpose is to translate a rectangle into an octagon. See also: pendentive. Construction A squinch is typically formed by a masonry arch that spans ...

: Etymology: Persian سه+کنج=) سکنج) (pronounced sekonj)—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

octagon In geometry, an octagon (from the Greek ὀκτάγωνον ''oktágōnon'', "eight angles") is an eight-sided polygon or 8-gon. A '' regular octagon'' has Schläfli symbol and can also be constructed as a quasiregular truncated square, t, whi ...

al or

spherical A sphere () is a geometrical object that is a three-dimensional analogue to a two-dimensional circle. A sphere is the set of points that are all at the same distance from a given point in three-dimensional space.. That given point is the ce ...

dome A dome () is an architectural element similar to the hollow upper half of a sphere. There is significant overlap with the term cupola, which may also refer to a dome or a structure on top of a dome. The precise definition of a dome has been a m ...

. A later solution of this structural problem was provided by the

pendentive In architecture, a pendentive is a constructional device permitting the placing of a circular dome over a square room or of an elliptical dome over a rectangular room. The pendentives, which are triangular segments of a sphere, taper to points ...

. The squinch was invented in

. It was used in the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...

in both eastern Romanesque and

Islamic architecture Islamic architecture comprises the architectural styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day. The Islamic world encompasses a wide geographic ar ...

. It remained a feature of Islamic architecture, especially in

, and was often covered by corbelled

stalactite A stalactite (, ; from the Greek 'stalaktos' ('dripping') via ''stalassein'' ('to drip') is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble an ...

-like structures known as

muqarnas Muqarnas ( ar, مقرنص; fa, مقرنس), also known in Iranian architecture as Ahoopāy ( fa, آهوپای) and in Iberian architecture as Mocárabe, is a form of ornamented vaulting in Islamic architecture. It is the archetypal form of I ...

. ;

-Stan The suffix -stan ( fa, ـستان, translit=''stân'' after a vowel; ''estân'' or ''istân'' after a consonant), has the meaning of "a place abounding in" or "a place where anything abounds" in the Persian language. It appears in the names of ...

: ـستان;meaning "land" or "country", source of place names such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, etc., from Pers. -stan "country," from Sanskrit स्थानम् (sthanam) "place," lit. "where one stands," ;

Subahdar Subahdar, also known as Nazim or in English as a "Subah", was one of the designations of a governor of a Subah (province) during the Khalji dynasty of Bengal, Mamluk dynasty (Delhi), Khalji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Mughal era ( of India who w ...

: 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 is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Compound sugars, also called disaccharides or double ...

: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 (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

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 The zurna ( Armenian: զուռնա zuṙna; Old Armenian: սուռնայ suṙnay; Albanian: surle/surla; Persian: karna/Kornay/surnay; Macedonian: зурла/сурла zurla/surla; Bulgarian: ''зурна/зурла''; Serbian: зурла/zu ...

: Etymology: Persian سرنای Surnaay. a Middle Eastern and Central Asian oboe. ; syagush: Persian سیاه-گوش siyah-gush, literally, black ear. Caracal. ;

: Etymology: Hindi समोसा samos & Urdu سموسہ، سمبسا samosa, sambsa, from Persian سنبوسه sambusa.

T

;

Tabasheer Tabasheer ( Hindustani: तबाशीर or طباشیر) or ''Banslochan'' (बंसलोचन, بنسلوچن), also spelt as Tabachir or Tabashir, is a translucent white substance, composed mainly of silica and water with traces of lime and ...

: 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 may refer to: Places Czech Republic * Tábor, a town in the South Bohemian Region ** Tábor District, the surrounding district * Tábor, a village and part of Velké Heraltice in the Moravian-Silesian Region Israel * Mount Tabor, Galilee ...

: Etymology: Middle English tabur, from Welsh Tabwrdd and Old French tabour/tabur, alteration of tambur. See tambour. ;

Taffeta Taffeta (archaically spelled taffety or taffata) is a crisp, smooth, plain woven fabric made from silk, cuprammonium rayons, acetate, and polyester. The word is Persian (تافته) in origin and means "twisted woven". As clothing, it is used in ...

: Etymology: from Persian تافته taftah meaning woven. ;

Tahsildar In India and Pakistan, a Tehsildar or Mamlatdar is a tax officer accompanied by revenue inspectors. They are in charge of obtaining taxes from a tehsil with regard to land revenue. A tehsildar is also known as an executive magistrate of the relev ...

: 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 The Taj Mahal (; ) is an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mu ...

: from Persian: تاج محل, lit. "the best of buildings;" or "the Crown's Place". ;

Tajikistan Tajikistan (, ; tg, Тоҷикистон, Tojikiston; russian: Таджикистан, Tadzhikistan), officially the Republic of Tajikistan ( tg, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Jumhurii Tojikiston), is a landlocked country in Centr ...

: تاجیکستان; Tajik combined with Persian suffix -stan."stan", OED Literally meaning "Land of Tajiks" in Persian. ;

Talc Talc, or talcum, is a Clay minerals, clay mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Talc in powdered form, often combined with corn starch, is used as baby powder. This mineral is used as a thi ...

: from Pers. تالک ''talk'' "talc." ;

Tambour In classical architecture, a tambour ( Fr.: "drum") is the inverted bell of the Corinthian capital around which are carved acanthus leaves for decoration. The term also applies to the wall of a circular structure, whether on the ground or rais ...

: Etymology: French, drum, from Middle French, from Arabic طنبور tanbur, modification (influenced by tunbur, a lute) of Persian تعبیر tabir. ;

Tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though ...

: See above. ;

Tanbur The term ''Tanbur'' ( fa, تنبور, ) can refer to various long-necked string instruments originating in Mesopotamia, Southern or Central Asia. According to the ''New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', "terminology presents a compli ...

: Etymology: Persian تمبر Tambur. ;Tangi: Etymology: Persian تنگی Tangi. a narrow gorge ;

Tandoori A tandoor ( or ) is a large urn-shaped oven, usually made of clay, originating from the Indian Subcontinent. Since antiquity, tandoors have been used to bake unleavened flatbreads, such as roti and naan, as well as to roast meat. The tandoor ...

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

Tapestry Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven by hand on a loom. Tapestry is weft-faced weaving, in which all the warp threads are hidden in the completed work, unlike most woven textiles, where both the warp and the weft threads may ...

: probably from an Iranian source (cf. Pers. تفتان، تابیدن taftan, tabidan "to turn, twist"). ;

Tar Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat. "a dark brown or black bit ...

: 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 A tiara (from la, tiara, from grc, τιάρα) is a jeweled head ornament. Its origins date back to ancient Greece and Rome. In the late 18th century, the tiara came into fashion in Europe as a prestigious piece of jewelry to be worn by women ...

: via Latin ''tiara'' from Persian تاره tara ;

Timar A timar was a land grant by the sultans of the Ottoman Empire between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, with an annual tax revenue of less than 20,000 akçes. The revenues produced from the land acted as compensation for military service. A ...

: Etymology: Turkish timar attendance, care, timar, from Persian تمر tmr sorrow, care. a Turkish fief formerly held under condition of military service. ;

Tiger The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus '' Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on u ...

: via Greek Τίγρις ''tigris'' from an Iranian source ;

Tigris The Tigris () is the easternmost of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia, the other being the Euphrates. The river flows south from the mountains of the Armenian Highlands through the Syrian and Arabian Deserts, and empties into the ...

: From Middle Persian تیگر ''Tigr'' "arrow", originally from Old Persian 𒋾𒂵𒊏 ''Tigra'' "pointed" or "sharp" ;

Toque A toque ( or ) is a type of hat with a narrow brim or no brim at all. Toques were popular from the 13th to the 16th century in Europe, especially France. The mode was revived in the 1930s. Now it is primarily known as the traditional headgear ...

: from O. Pers. طاق ''taq'' "veil, shawl." ;

Toxic Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subst ...

: (poison) for use on arrows: from O. Pers. ''taxša-'' "bow and arrow, New Persian تخش ''taxš''" from PIE *tekw- "to run, flee." ; 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 Tulips (''Tulipa'') are a genus of spring-blooming perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes (having bulbs as storage organs). The flowers are usually large, showy and brightly coloured, generally red, pink, yellow, or white (usually in warm ...

: Etymology: any of various plants belonging to the genus Tulipa. from French ''tulipe'', from Persian دلبند ''dulband''. ;

Turan Turan ( ae, Tūiriiānəm, pal, Tūrān; fa, توران, Turân, , "The Land of Tur") is a historical region in Central Asia. The term is of Iranian origin and may refer to a particular prehistoric human settlement, a historic geographical re ...

: from Persian ''توران'' ;

Turanian {{Short description, List of groups of people Turanian is a term that has been used in reference to diverse groups of people. It has had currency in Turanism, Pan-Turkism, and historic Turkish nationalism. Many of the uses of the word are obsolete. ...

: 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. . ;

Turanose Turanose is a reducing disaccharide. The -isomer is naturally occurring. Its systematic name is α--glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α--fructofuranose. It is an analog of sucrose not metabolized by higher plants, but rather acquired through the action ...

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

Turban A turban (from Persian دولبند‌, ''dulband''; via Middle French ''turbant'') is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Featuring many variations, it is worn as customary headwear by people of various cultures. Communities with promine ...

: from Persian دلبند ''dulband'' Band = To close, To tie. ;

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the sout ...

: ترکمنستان; Turkmen combined with Persian suffix ـستان -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Turkmens" in Persian. ;

Typhoon A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops between 180° and 100°E in the Northern Hemisphere. This region is referred to as the Northwestern Pacific Basin, and is the most active tropical cyclone basin on Earth, accounting for a ...

: Etymology: via Chinese 大风/大風, Hindi दफुं, Arabic طوفان, and Ancient Greek τυφῶν; ultimately from Persian word Toofaan (طوفان)

U

;

Uzbekistan Uzbekistan (, ; uz, Ozbekiston, italic=yes / , ; russian: Узбекистан), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( uz, Ozbekiston Respublikasi, italic=yes / ; russian: Республика Узбекистан), is a doubly landlocked cou ...

: ازبکستان; Uzbek combined with Persian suffix ـستان -stan. Literally meaning "Land of Uzbeks" in Persian.

V

; Van: from ''Caravan'' (q.v.) ; Vispered: Avestan vispa ratavo meaning all the lords. one of the supplementary ritual texts included in the Avestan sacred writings. ;

vizier A vizier (; ar, وزير, wazīr; fa, وزیر, vazīr), or wazir, is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in the near east. The Abbasid caliphs gave the title ''wazir'' to a minister formerly called ''katib'' (secretary), who was a ...

: 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

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

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 The Yashts are a collection of twenty-one hymns in the Younger Avestan language. Each of these hymns invokes a specific Zoroastrian divinity or concept. ''Yasht'' chapter and verse pointers are traditionally abbreviated as ''Yt.'' Overview The wo ...

: 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 A zamindar ( Hindustani: Devanagari: , ; Persian: , ) in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semiautonomous ruler of a province. The term itself came into use during the reign of Mughals and later the British had begun using it as a ...

: 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 A zamindar ( Hindustani: Devanagari: , ; Persian: , ) in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semiautonomous ruler of a province. The term itself came into use during the reign of Mughals and later the British had begun using it as a ...

: 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,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label=Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism. He is s ...

Zarathustra Zoroaster,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label=Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism. He is s ...

: the Persian prophet ;

Zedoary ''Curcuma zedoaria'' (zedoary, white turmeric, or temu putih) is a perennial herb and member of the genus ''Curcuma'', family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia but is now naturalized in other places including t ...

: 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 ( fa, زنانه, ur, , bn, জেনানা, hi, ज़नाना) literally meaning "of the women" or "pertaining to women", in Persian language contextually refers to the part of a house belonging to a Muslim, Sikh, or Hindu f ...

: 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 Zircon () is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium(IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is Zr SiO4. An empirical formula showing some of the r ...

: Via

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

''Zirkon'' and

ئشقنعى ''zarkûn;'' ultimately from Persian ''زرگون'' ''zargun,'' "gold-colored" or from

Syriac Syriac may refer to: *Syriac language, an ancient dialect of Middle Aramaic *Sureth, one of the modern dialects of Syriac spoken in the Nineveh Plains region * Syriac alphabet ** Syriac (Unicode block) ** Syriac Supplement * Neo-Aramaic languages a ...

ܙܐܪܓܥܢܥ ''Zargono.'' ;

Zirconate A zirconate is an oxyanion containing zirconium. Examples include Na2ZrO3, Ca2ZrO3 which can be prepared by fusing zirconium dioxide Zirconium dioxide (), sometimes known as zirconia (not to be confused with zircon), is a white crystalline oxide ...

: zircon + the suffix ''-ate'', from Latin ''-atus'' ;

Zirconia Zirconium dioxide (), sometimes known as zirconia (not to be confused with zircon), is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. Its most naturally occurring form, with a monoclinic crystalline structure, is the mineral baddeleyite. A dopant sta ...

: zircon + the New Latin ''-ia'' suffix ;

Zirconium Zirconium is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. The name ''zirconium'' is taken from the name of the mineral zircon, the most important source of zirconium. The word is related to Persian '' zargun'' (zircon; ''zar-gun'', ...

: zircon + the New Latin suffix ''-ium'' ;

Zoroaster Zoroaster,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label=New Persian, Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastria ...

: from Persian

;

Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religions, Iranian religion and one of the world's History of religion, oldest organized faiths, based on the teachings of the Iranian peoples, Iranian-speaking prophet Zoroaster. It has a Dualism in cosmology, du ...

: The religion brought forth by Zoroaster. ;

Zumbooruk Zamburak ( fa, زمبورک), literally meaning wasp, was a specialized form of self-propelled artillery from the early modern period, featuring small swivel guns mounted on and fired from camels. Its operators was known as a zamburakchi. It w ...

: from Persian زنبوره zanburah."zumbooruk." Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com .

References

Sources

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

External links

English words borrowed from Persian
{{DEFAULTSORT:List of English Words of Persian Origin

Persian words similar to other languages