English
syrup
Syrup comes from Middle English sirup ‘a syrup of herbs used for medicine’, and goes back to Arabic شَرِبَ ‘to drink’.
- Arabicc. 500–presentشَرِبَšariba‘to drink’
- Arabic, derivedc. 500–presentشَرَابšarāb‘a drink’
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500siruppus
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400sirop
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500sirup‘a syrup of herbs used for medicine’
- Englishearliest quotation 1819syrup
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Arabicc. 500–presentشَرِبَšariba‘to drink’
- Arabic, derivedc. 500–presentشَرَابšarāb‘a drink’
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500siruppus
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400sirop
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500sirup‘a syrup of herbs used for medicine’
- Englishearliest quotation 1819syrup
Earliest quotation: 1819, John Keats, The Eve of St. Agnes: “With jellies soother than the creamy curd, / And…”
first attested The first known use of the spelling sirup was in the 14th century (as stated in the etymology)
The story
The first known use of the spelling sirup was in the 14th century.
Linked words
pairs
- syrup and sherbet both from Arabic شَرِبَ ‘to drink’
through Arabic شَرِبَ ‘to drink’
Today it means
noun Any thick liquid that has a high sugar content and which is added to or poured over food as a flavoring.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Arabic شَرِبَ / syrup