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Where does the word "myrrh" come from? It comes from Arabic murr, and was adopted directly into English (medieval).
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Where does the word "myrrh" come from? It comes from Arabic murr, and was adopted directly into English (medieval).
Myrrh’s story begins in Arabic: murr meant “bitter.” Literally bitter, describing the resin's taste. It reached English by medieval as myrrh. Settled as the word for the aromatic tree resin used in incense and perfume. Today, myrrh means an aromatic resin used in perfume, incense, and traditional medicine.
- Stage 1 · Arabic · ancient murr "bitter", literally bitter, describing the resin's taste.
- Stage 2 · English · medieval myrrh "an aromatic resin used in incense and perfume", settled as the word for the aromatic tree resin used in incense and perfume.