Etymology Map
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Intifada

2 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a Palestinian uprising

Where does the word "intifada" come from? It comes from Arabic intifāḍa, adopted directly into English (1987).

1
Stage 1 of 2
intifāḍa
Arabic · medieval
"shaking off"
'a shaking off', from 'nafaḍa', to shake
2
Stage 2 of 2
intifada
English · 1987
"uprising"
entered English with the Palestinian uprising that began in Gaza in December 1987
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Read the full story

Intifada’s story begins in Arabic: intifāḍa meant “shaking off.” 'a shaking off', from 'nafaḍa', to shake. It reached English by 1987 as intifada. Entered English with the Palestinian uprising that began in Gaza in December 1987. Today, intifada means a Palestinian uprising.