Etymology Map
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Diwali

3 stages from Sanskrit to English.

Today it means A major festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, marked by lights, fireworks, and the triumph of light over darkness.

Where does the word "diwali" come from? It comes from Sanskrit dipavali, passing through Hindi before entering English (20th c.).

1
Stage 1 of 3
dipavali
Sanskrit · ancient
"a row of lights"
compound of 'light' and 'row, series'
2
Stage 2 of 3
diwali
Hindi · medieval
"the festival of lights"
became the name of the festival of lights
3
Stage 3 of 3
Diwali
English · 20th c.
"a major South Asian festival celebrating light's triumph over darkness"
adopted in English for the major Hindu, Jain, and Sikh festival
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