1
Stage 1 of 4
amīr al-baḥr
Arabic · c. 1100s
"commander of the sea"
literally "commander of the sea", used for Arab naval commanders
2
Stage 2 of 4
admiralis
Medieval Latin · c. 1200s
"naval commander"
adopted by Norman rulers of Sicily who inherited Arab fleets
3
Stage 3 of 4
amiral
Old French · c. 1300s
"naval commander"
the -d- was inserted later by association with Latin admirari
4
Stage 4 of 4
admiral
English · c. 1400s
"chief commander of a fleet"
settled into English via Norman French administration
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