1
Stage 1 of 3
rukh
Persian · medieval
"giant mythical bird"
name of a monstrous bird in Persian legend, of unknown deeper origin
2
Stage 2 of 3
rukhkh
Arabic · medieval
"giant predatory bird"
carried the legend into Arabic storytelling, including the Arabian Nights
3
Stage 3 of 3
roc
English · 1570s
"legendary giant bird"
entered English through Marco Polo's travel accounts and later translations of the Arabian Nights
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom