When you say 'nasal' are you speaking Sanskrit?

'Nasal' is a word borrowed from Sanskrit 'nasa'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

nasal [noun] [14th century]

• the nosepiece of a helmet
• a nasal part
• a nasal consonant

See 'nasal' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Sanskrit.

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from 'nes' nose, from Latin 'nasus'

See more loan words from 1300s.