Mosul
/moʊˈsuːl/noun
A major city in northern Iraq on the west bank of the Tigris River.
Did you know?The English word “muslin” ultimately comes through French from “Mosul,” whose merchants became associated in medieval Europe with fine cotton and other textiles.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Arabic
Arabic
waṣala
“to join, connect, reach, or arrive”
Early Islamic period
Arabic
al-Mawṣil
“the connected place or junction”
9th Century
Arabic
al-Mawṣil
“The established Arabic name for the city, associated with its position as a crossing and connection point”
Medieval Period
Arabic/European usage
Mawsil / Mosul
“The city name transmitted into European geographical and commercial writing”
17th Century
English
Mosul
“The standard English form of the Iraqi city’s name”
Modern English
English
Mosul
“A historic Iraqi city and regional center”