Sunday, 13 November 2022

Did you know that 'saffron' is actually Arabic?

'Saffron' is a word borrowed from Arabic 'za‘farān'. The word entered the English language some time around the 13th century.


saffron [noun] [13th century]
  • the deep orange aromatic pungent dried stigmas of a purple-flowered crocus (Crocus sativus) used to color and flavor ...
  • the crocus supplying saffron
  • a moderate orange to orange yellow
See 'saffron' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Arabic.

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French 'saffron, safren' from Medieval Latin 'safranum' from Arabic 'zaʽfarān'
See more loan words from 1200s.


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