Where does “harem” come from?
Harem comes from Turkish harem, from Arabic حَرَم meaning a forbidden or sacred place, particularly one reserved for women in a household.
harem (English): The private part of an Arab household,...
Definitions
- The private part of an Arab household,...
Ancestry of “harem”, step by step
harem traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Turkish harem
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkish | harem | harem |
| 2 | Ottoman Turkish | حرم | harem |
| 3 | Arabic | حَرَم | something prohibited; sanctuary, women;... |
via Arabic حَرِيم
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arabic | حَرِيم | — |