lime

Where does the word "lime" come from? It comes from Persian līmū, passing through Arabic, Spanish and French before entering English (1600s).

Lime’s story begins in Persian: līmū meant “citrus fruit.” A general Middle Eastern word for citrus fruit. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Arabic as līma. Citrus fruit, adapted from Persian. From there it passed into Spanish as lima by medieval. Carried the small citrus fruit into Iberian trade. French picked it up next, as lime, around medieval. Carried the small citrus fruit into French trade. It reached English by 1600s as lime. Adopted for the small green citrus fruit. Today, lime means a small, round, green citrus fruit with tart juice.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval līmū "citrus fruit", a general Middle Eastern word for citrus fruit.
2. Stage 2 · Arabic · medieval līma "citrus fruit", citrus fruit, adapted from Persian.
3. Stage 3 · Spanish · medieval lima "lime fruit", carried the small citrus fruit into Iberian trade.
4. Stage 4 · French · medieval lime "lime fruit", carried the small citrus fruit into French trade.
5. Stage 5 · English · 1600s lime "the lime fruit", adopted for the small green citrus fruit.