Etymograph

English

Pherkad

Pherkad comes from Arabic فرقد ‘calf’.

  1. Arabicc. 500–presentفرقدfarqad‘calf’
  2. EnglishtodayPherkad

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Arabicc. 500–presentفرقدfarqad‘calf’
  2. EnglishtodayPherkad

The story

From Arabic فرقد (farqad, “calf”), from aḫfa al farkadayn ("the dim one of the two calves") in reference to Pherkad and Kochab, previously dual North Stars. Formally approved by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group on Star Names on 21 August 2016.

Every English word from Arabic فرقد

Today it means

name γ Ursae Minoris, a star in the constellation Ursa Minor, formerly a dual North Star with Kochab from about 1000 BC to about AD 300.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Arabic فرقد / Pherkad

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