Etymology Map
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Attar

4 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a fragrant essential oil, especially one distilled from rose petals

Where does the word "attar" come from? It comes from Arabic 'itr, passing through Persian and Hindi/Urdu before entering English (1788).

1
Stage 1 of 4
'itr
Arabic · medieval
"perfume"
meant "perfume" or "aroma"
2
Stage 2 of 4
'itr
Persian · medieval
"perfume"
adopted into the Persian perfume trade
3
Stage 3 of 4
atr
Hindi/Urdu · 1700s
"essential oil, perfume"
spread through Mughal India's flower-oil industry
4
Stage 4 of 4
attar
English · 1788
"fragrant essential oil"
entered English via the Indo-Persian perfume trade, especially attar of roses
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