vizier

Where does the word "vizier" come from? It comes from Arabic wazir, passing through Ottoman Turkish before entering English (1580s).

Vizier’s story begins in Arabic: wazir meant “a helper, a minister.” Literally a helper, a high-ranking political advisor to a Muslim ruler. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as vizier. From Arabic 'wazīr', burden-bearer; the Grand Vizier ran the Ottoman government. It reached English by 1580s as vizier. Settled as the English word for a high-ranking Muslim government official. Today, vizier means a high-ranking political advisor or minister in a Muslim government, historically.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval wazir "a helper, a minister", literally a helper, a high-ranking political advisor to a Muslim ruler.
2. Stage 2 · Ottoman Turkish · medieval vizier "a senior government minister", from Arabic 'wazīr', burden-bearer; the Grand Vizier ran the Ottoman government.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1580s vizier "a high-ranking political advisor in a Muslim government", settled as the English word for a high-ranking Muslim government official.