When you hear 'oasis' are you hearing English or Egyptian?

'Oasis' is a word borrowed from Egyptian 'ouahe'. The word entered the English language some time around 1613.

oasis [noun] [1613]

• a fertile or green area in an arid region (as a desert)
• something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

See 'oasis' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Egyptian.

note: From Latin: oasis from Ancient Greek: ὄασις óasis which in turn is a direct borrowing from Demotic Egyptian. Coptic: wahe or ouahe which means a dwelling place.
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek

See more loan words from 1600s.