Aak
/ɑːk/noun
An Indian milkweed shrub, especially Calotropis gigantea, valued in traditional medicine but toxic in significant amounts.
Did you know?Aak is associated with the Sanskrit word arka, meaning “sun” or “ray,” and Calotropis flowers have been used in offerings to the Hindu sun god Surya.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂erǵ-
“A reconstructed root associated with shining or brightness; its connection to the plant name is mediated through Sanskrit.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
अर्क (arka)
“Sun, ray, a plant, or a plant used in ritual and medicine.”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
akka
“A related vernacular form referring to the aak or milkweed plant.”
Modern Hindi
Hindi
आक (āk)
“Aak, commonly Calotropis gigantea or a closely related milkweed.”
Modern English
English
aak
“An English botanical loanword for an Indian milkweed shrub.”