Azafran
/ˌɑː.zəˈfrɑːn/noun
Saffron, the aromatic orange-red spice and dye obtained from the stigmas of the saffron crocus.
Did you know?Spanish azafrán developed from Arabic al-zaʿfarān, with the Arabic definite article becoming fused into the borrowed word; related forms later traveled through medieval Latin into European languages.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Persian
Middle Persian
zaʿfarān
“The name for saffron, the precious orange-red spice derived from crocus stigmas.”
Early Medieval Period
Arabic
zaʿfarān
“Saffron; the Arabic form inherited or adapted from the Persian term.”
Early Medieval Period
Arabic
al-zaʿfarān
“The saffron, with the definite article al- attached to the spice’s name.”
Medieval Spanish
Spanish
azafrán
“Saffron; the Arabic article and noun were borrowed together, with sound changes in Spanish.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
safranum
“Saffron; a scholarly and commercial Latin form used in medieval Europe.”
Modern English
English
azafran
“A rare English loanword or variant referring to saffron, more commonly called saffron in standard English.”
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