peri

Where does the word "peri" come from? It comes from Avestan pairika, passing through Persian before entering English (1777).

Peri’s story begins in Avestan: pairika meant “evil supernatural being.” Named a malevolent supernatural being in ancient Iranian belief. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Persian as pari. Softened over time into a beautiful, winged nymph-like spirit. It reached English by 1777 as peri. Entered English literature describing graceful supernatural beings of Persian myth. Today, peri means a beautiful, graceful supernatural being in Persian mythology, often depicted with wings.

1. Stage 1 · Avestan · ancient pairika "evil supernatural being", named a malevolent supernatural being in ancient Iranian belief.
2. Stage 2 · Persian · medieval pari "supernatural nymph", softened over time into a beautiful, winged nymph-like spirit.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1777 peri "beautiful supernatural being", entered English literature describing graceful supernatural beings of Persian myth.