Tigers
/ˈtaɪɡərz/noun
The plural of tiger, referring to large striped cats of the genus Panthera.
Did you know?The name tiger traveled from Iranian languages into Greek and Latin, and the same ancient “sharp, piercing” root may also lie behind words such as “sting” and “stigma.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European, proposed
PIE
*steig-
“To prick, pierce, or strike; this proposed root is associated with the idea of sharpness.”
Ancient Iranian
Iranian
*tigra-
“Sharp or pointed; commonly connected with the animal’s swift, piercing attack.”
6th Century BCE
Old Persian
tigra
“Sharp or pointed; also appearing in the ancient name of the Tigris River.”
5th–4th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
τίγρις (tigris)
“Tiger; a borrowing from an Iranian language.”
Classical Latin
Latin
tigris
“Tiger, and also the Tigris River.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
tigre
“Tiger; adopted from Latin.”
Modern English
English
tiger / tigers
“A tiger; or, in the plural, multiple tigers.”