English
houri
Houri comes from Persian حوری, and goes back to Arabic حُورِيّ ‘belonging to or relative to houris’.
- Arabicc. 500–presentحُورِيّḥūriyy‘belonging to or relative to houris’
- Persianc. 900–presentحوریhurî
- Frenchc. 1600–presenthouri
- Englishearliest quotation 1847same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Arabicc. 500–presentحُورِيّḥūriyy‘belonging to or relative to houris’
- Persianc. 900–presentحوریhurî
- Frenchc. 1600–presenthouri
- Englishearliest quotation 1847same form
Earliest quotation: 1847, Currer Bell pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë, London: Smith: “I would not exchange this one little English girl…”
Every English word from Arabic حُورِيّ
Today it means
noun A beautiful virgin girl supposed to dwell in Paradise for the enjoyment of the faithful.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Arabic حُورِيّ / houri