Caravansary
/ˌkærəˈvænsəri/noun
An inn or rest house for travelers and caravans, especially in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Did you know?Caravansaries were more than inns: many functioned as fortified commercial hubs where travelers, animals, goods, and information moved along the Silk Road.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Persian
Persian
kārwān
“A caravan or group of travelers journeying together”
Middle Persian
Persian
srāy
“House, dwelling, or lodging place”
Medieval Persian
Persian
kārwānsarāy
“A lodging house for caravans”
16th Century
Italian/French
caravanserai / caravansérail
“An inn or station for caravans”
17th Century
English
caravansary
“A roadside inn or resting place for travelers and caravans”
Modern English
English
caravansary
“A traditional caravan inn, especially in the Middle East or Central Asia”