The Avestan origins of the word 'paradise'

'Paradise' is a word borrowed from Avestan 'pairidaēza'. The word entered the English language some time around the 12th century.

paradise [noun] [12th century]

• eden
• an intermediate place or state where the souls of the righteous await resurrection and the final judgment
• heaven
• a place or state of bliss, felicity, or delight

See 'paradise' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Middle English 'paradis' from Anglo-French, from Late Latin 'paradisus' from Greek 'paradeisos' literally, enclosed park, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan 'pairi-daēza-' enclosure; akin to Greek 'peri' around and to Greek 'teichos' wall

See more loan words from 1100s.

How the French language influenced English with the word 'marble'

'Marble' is a word borrowed from French 'marbre'. The word entered the English language some time around the 12th century.

marble [noun] [12th century]

• limestone that is more or less crystallized by metamorphism, that ranges from granular to compact in texture, that is c...
• something (as a piece of sculpture) composed of or made from marble
• something suggesting marble (as in hardness, coldness, or smoothness)
• a little ball made of a hard substance (as glass) and used in various games

See 'marble' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French 'marbre' from Latin 'marmor' from Greek 'marmaros'

See more loan words from 1100s.