When you hear 'odalisque' are you hearing English or Turkish?

'Odalisque' is a word borrowed from Turkish 'oda-lisk'. The word entered the English language some time around 1681.

odalisque [noun] [circa 1681]

• a female slave
• a concubine in a harem

Meaning: a female slave; a concubine in a harem.

Etymology: French; from Turkish odalk; from oda room.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From French to Turkish to English.

note: Late 17th century: from French from Turkish odalik from oda chamber + lik function.

See 'odalisque' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Turkish.

See more loan words from 1600s.