Vol. 09 · Loanwords ·Arabic ·1610s
Sequin
from sikka
- Meaning
- A small shiny disc sewn onto clothing.
- Source word
- sikka
- Route into English
- Arabic *sikka* (a die for striking coins) → Italian *zecchino* (a Venetian gold coin) → French *sequin* → English. Originally a coin, then a coin-shaped ornament.
- Arrived
- 1610s
From Arabic
Science, trade, and the Mediterranean transit of Andalusian scholarship gave English its Arabic stratum — especially in maths, chemistry, and commerce. Many entered through Latin or Italian.
English borrows.
Browse the full loanword atlas or explore another source language.