When you hear 'crimson' are you hearing English or Arabic?

'Crimson' is a word borrowed from Arabic 'qirmiz'. The word entered the English language some time around the 15th century.

crimson [noun] [15th century]

Any of several deep purplish reds

See 'crimson' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Arabic.

Etymology: Middle English 'crimisin' from Old Spanish 'cremesín' from Arabic 'qirmizī' from 'qirmiz' kermes

See more loan words from 1400s.