English words Derived from Other Languages | Vocabulary
A bail is a small wooden box on the end of a rope (or chain). When someone is arrested, they may be placed inside a cage called a jail. A person who is being held in custody while awaiting trial is said to be under arrest; hence the term "under arrest". In some jurisdictions (especially in the United States), persons suspected of committing crimes are often detained at police stations, known commonly as lockup, before formal charges have been made or released on bail.
Cuffs link together two pieces of material by means of a metal ring. Cuffs are used to secure prisoners' wrists whilst in prison cells.
Gags are devices used to prevent people speaking freely. They were originally designed to prevent children, as well as animals, from crying or screaming during medical procedures. However, later uses included preventing people from speaking at political trials.
Fleece is wool produced by sheep. Sheep's fleece is used to make yarn, garments, blankets, hats, and insulation. Because of its softness, warmth, durability, colorfastness, washability, and resilience to sunlight, cold, and moisture, fleece is widely used in clothing, bedding, home decor, and household goods.
Muzzles are mouthpieces attached to guns. As muzzle brakes, muzzles serve to reduce recoil and/or increase accuracy.
A pallet is a flat platform on which raw materials are transferred between machines in manufacturing or storage. Pallets are usually made of wood or plastic and may range from simple plywood boards to sophisticated engineered components.
Pouches are bags or containers that hold items such as money, jewelry, or food. Pouches come in many different sizes and shapes.
Apella is derived from Latin word 'apellus' which means bowl-shaped. When we talk about a cup, a bowl, etc., we use the term apellae. This word is derived from the name of the god Apollo.
This word literally translates to apparatus. In modern day language, the meaning of this word has changed over time. Earlier, the word meant something like something that is attached to, something fixed, something set, and something that is part of an object.
Argania is derived from Greek 'argos', which means amber. Argania was the ancient name given to the town of Oran near Taza. The town of Argana is located in the province of Algiers in north west Algeria.
Aphrodiasia is derived from the Greek word 'aphros' which means sharp. Aphrodisiac is a drug that increases sexual desire.
Apothekari is derived from the Greek words 'apotheke' (to produce) and 'keras' (resembling the horn of an ox). This can either mean someone who makes drugs, or someone who mixes or prepares medicine.
From the Latin 'arbor', arbor can be translated as tree. But, the meaning of this term is changing over time. Earlier, arbor referred to a place where trees were grown. Later, arbor meant a building where people meet. Nowadays, the meaning of this phrase is being used in the modern world.
Ascent is derived from the Latin word 'ascendere'. This word means to go upwards or move towards the sky. Assent can be used to convey the same idea.
Avocados are derived from the Spanish word 'ajo de aguacate'. Aguacate is the singular form of the noun agua quacate, which is Spanish for avocado. This fruit is native to Mexico and Central America.
Bail comes from the Latin 'baillare', baillare means to tie down or restrain.
Baubles are small ornamental objects, often made of precious metal, and have been associated with royalty since ancient times. They are sometimes called 'tokens'.
'Beech' is derived from the Old German word 'beissen' which means hazelnut. This word has many variations around the world including 'bessin' in France and 'beissi' in Italy.
This is derived from the Old French word 'belle d'oie' which means 'beautiful goose'. The plant that bears this name is a deadly nightshade, a member of the Solanaceae family.
This word is derived from Latin 'bis numeral', which means 'twice numerical'. Originally biennial was used to describe plants whose first flowering occurs after two years, and second flowering occurs after four years.
Bodily comes from the Latin word 'corpus' which means body. The word bodily means pertaining to the human body.
European Languages
Germanic/ Anglo Saxon roots
The term "germanics" derives its etymology from the German language; however, the terms "anglo-saxon", or "Anglian", was probably first coined in 1823 in connection with the study of Latin and Greek roots. Most words of Germanic origin were borrowed directly from Proto-Indo-European, while others were derived via Latin from the same source.
Germanic/ Norse roots
Norse (Old Norse) comes from the Old High German word Noreða, which means Northern. The name "Northumbria" derives from "Norðrveg", meaning northern road. The name "Norway" comes from the Old Norse word Norðri (meaning North). The Germanic tribes who settled in what is now Scandinavia adopted Christianity about 1000 CE. From there they spread throughout Europe and beyond. In England, many of these tribes became known as Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Frisians, and their offspring.
Scandinavian roots
Scandinavia is the collective name given to the countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Svalbard, as well as certain islands in between them. Historically, the name Scandinavia was applied only to the territory north of the Baltic Sea, although today the term is often used for any country located in Northern Europe, including those outside the geographic boundaries given above. The Nordic Council of Ministers uses the term in reference to the current member states of the European Union (EU), excluding those of the former Soviet Union.
Anglo Saxon roots
England is the largest and most populous country in the United Kingdom. There are two official languages of England: English and Welsh. People in England belong to different ethnic groups, including White British, Irish, Scottish, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Japanese, African, Arabic, Somali, Filipino, Caribbean, Vietnamese, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Maltese, Moroccan, Romanian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Iranian. The majority of people in England consider themselves to be Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the predominant faith. About 75% of the population belongs to the Church of England, which is the national church of England and Wales. Anglican cathedrals account for nearly half the churches in England. A much smaller percentage identify themselves as Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, or atheist. As of 2016, the largest religious group in England was Christians, followed by Hindus at 0.8%, Buddhists at 1.4%, Muslims at 2.9%, Sikhs at 0.8%, Jews at 0.4%, and atheists at 5.0%.
French roots
France is a small, densely populated nation in Western Europe. It borders Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, and the Mediterranean Sea. France is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, where it meets Spain and Portugal and the Bay of Biscay to the south, along with the Spanish Pyrenees and the Alps to the east. The Loire River flows through much of central France. Its capital city is Paris.
Iberian Roots
Spain is a peninsula in Southern Europe bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the northwest. It is one of the oldest civilizations in Europe, having existed continuously since around 3500 BCE. Today, modern Spain accounts for
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