Moorish
/ˈmʊə.rɪʃ/noun
Relating to the Moors or to their culture, architecture, or style.
Did you know?Despite later racialized uses, the word ultimately traces back to the ancient Mediterranean ethnonym for people from Mauretania, not to any occult or magical root.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Mauroi
“A name used for inhabitants of Mauretania in North Africa.”
Latin
Latin
Mauri
“The Moors; people of Mauretania.”
Late Latin
Latin
Maurus
“A Moor; also dark-skinned or from Mauretania.”
Old French
Old French
Mooris
“Pertaining to the Moors.”
14th Century
English
Moryssh / Moorish
“Pertaining to the Moors; later, styled in the manner associated with Islamic Spain or North Africa.”
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