Is 'tulip' English, or is it actually Turkish?

'Tulip' is a word borrowed from Turkish 'tulipe'. The word entered the English language some time around 1578.

tulip [noun] [1578]

• any of a genus (Tulipa) of Eurasian bulbous herbs of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate leaves an...
• the flower or bulb of a tulip

Meaning: any of a genus ( Tulipa ) of Eurasian bulbous herbs of the lily family that have linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and are widely grown for their showy flowers; the flower or bulb of a tulip.

Etymology: New Latin tulipa; from Turkish tulbent turban turban.

Topics: Clothing:Headwear.

Origin: From Turkish to French to English.

note: Via French 'tulipe' derived from the Turkish tülbend which means turban. Ultimately traces back to the Persian dulband. The flower was named for its resemblance to the folds of a turban when it is in bloom.

See 'tulip' on the Loan Words Map

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