mistral

Where does the word "mistral" come from? It comes from Provencal/French mistral, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Mistral’s story begins in Provencal/French: mistral meant “masterful, dominant.” Literally masterful, describing the powerful cold wind of southern France. It reached English by 1600s as mistral. Provençal 'masterly' wind, from Latin 'magistralis'; it blows down the Rhône valley. Today, mistral means a strong, cold, dry wind that blows through southern France toward the Mediterranean.

1. Stage 1 · Provencal/French · medieval mistral "masterful, dominant", literally masterful, describing the powerful cold wind of southern France.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s mistral "a strong, cold northerly wind of southern France", Provençal 'masterly' wind, from Latin 'magistralis'; it blows down the Rhône valley.