Mithkal
/ˈmɪθ.kəl/noun
A variant transliteration of the Arabic mithqāl, a traditional unit of weight used in Islamic lands, especially for precious metals.
Did you know?A mithqāl was historically used to weigh gold and silver, and its value varied by region and period, commonly ranging around 4.25 grams.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ṯ-q-l
“To be heavy or weigh”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ثَقُلَ (ṯaqula)
“To become heavy”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
مِثْقَال (mithqāl)
“A measure of weight; literally something associated with weighing or heaviness”
Medieval Islamic Period
Arabic
mithqāl
“A standard weight used particularly for gold, silver, coins, and legal calculations”
19th–20th Century
English
mithqal / mithkal
“An English transliteration or variant spelling for the traditional Arabic weight”
Modern English
English
mithkal
“A rare variant spelling referring to the mithqal unit”