Where does “algebra” come from?
algebra (Dutch) comes from Middle Dutch algebra, from Latin algebra, from Arabic جبر, from Arabic جَبَرَ — to set a broken bone; to treat kindly.
algebra (Dutch): algebra
Ancestry of “algebra”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle Dutch | algebra | — |
| 2 | Latin | algebra | algebra |
| 3 | Arabic | جبر | to set; to restore; to force, to compel |
| 4 | Arabic | جَبَرَ | to set a broken bone; to treat kindly |