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Afreet

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a powerful and dangerous demon or monstrous spirit in Arabic and Islamic folklore

Where does the word "afreet" come from? It comes from Arabic 'afara, passing through Arabic before entering English (1786).

1
Stage 1 of 3
'afara
Arabic · ancient
"to cover in dust"
meant "to rub with dust" or "roll in dust"
2
Stage 2 of 3
'ifrit
Arabic · medieval
"powerful demon"
developed into the name for a powerful, dangerous demon mentioned in the Quran and later folklore
3
Stage 3 of 3
afreet / ifrit
English · 1786
"monstrous demon or jinn"
entered English through translations of Middle Eastern folklore and the Arabian Nights
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