niqab

Where does the word "niqab" come from? It comes from Arabic naqaba, passing through Arabic before entering English (1900s).

Niqab’s story begins in Arabic: naqaba meant “to pierce, perforate.” Meant "to pierce, bore a hole". Within Arabic, it grew into niqab by medieval. Named the face veil with an opening pierced for the eyes. It reached English by 1900s as niqab. Entered English through discussion of Islamic dress. Today, niqab means a face veil worn by some Muslim women, leaving an opening for the eyes.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval naqaba "to pierce, perforate", meant "to pierce, bore a hole".
2. Stage 2 · Arabic · medieval niqab "face veil", named the face veil with an opening pierced for the eyes.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s niqab "eyes-only face veil", entered English through discussion of Islamic dress.