LATINIZED AND ENGLISH NAMES OF ARABIC ORIGIN
Dr. A. Zahoor and Dr. Z. Haq
The concepts developed by the Arab (Muslim) astronomers and scientists were widely studied in Europe and became the basis of modern astronomy and science.
Most of the names of stars in European languages are derived from Arabic origin as shown in the table below.
| Latinized/English Name | Arabic Name |
| Achernar | Akhir al-Nahr |
| Acrab | Aqrab (Scorpion) |
| Phurked | farqad (calf) |
| Altair | Nasr al-Tair |
| Aldebaran | ad-Dabaran |
| Daneb | Dhanab al-Dujajah |
| Denebola | Dhanab al-Asad |
| Fomal Haut | Famm al-Hut |
| Aega | Nasr al-Waqi |
In the Mathematical vocabulary the Algebra, zenith, Nadir and cipher are borrowed from Arabic words.
| Latinized/English Name | Arabic Name |
| Algebra | al-Jabr |
| Algorism, Algorithm | Al-Khawarizmi |
| Zenith | Cenit |
| Nadir | Nadir, Nazir |
| Atlas | Atlas |
| Azimuth | Al-sumut |
| Cipher, Zero | Sifr |
Examples of medical terms of Arabic origin commonly used in European languages are: Elixir, Alcohol, Antimonio (English Antimony), and Alcanfor (camphor).
| Latinized/English Name | Arabic Name |
| Elixir | al-Aksir |
| Alcohol | al-kohl |
| Alchemy | Al-kimiya |
| Antimonio, Antimun (English) | Antimun, Ithmid |
| Alcanfor, camphor | Kafur |
| Zircon | Azraq |
| Colliget | Al-Kullyat |
| Anima | Kitab al-Nafs |
| Sufficientia | Kitab al-Shifa |
Other commonly used words of Arabic origin are: Alembic, Alkali, Alum, Aludel, Athomor, Azymum, Cinnabar, Tutia, Usefur, and Ziniar.
| Latinized/English Name | Arabic Name |
| Admiral | Amir-ul Bahr |
| Earth | Eardh, Earz |
| Adobe | Al-tub |
| Alcove | Al-qubba |
| Monsoon | Mawsim |
| Magazine | Makhazin |
| Rice | Ruzz |
| Coffee | Qahwa |
| Banana | Banana |
| Lemon | Limun |
| Orange | Naranj |
| Sugar | Sukkar |
| Syrup | Shurb, Sharab |
| Artichoke | Al-Kharshuf |
| Jasmine | Yasmin |
| Musk | Musk |
| Safron | Za'faran |
| Amber | Anbar |
| Cotton | Qutun |
| Cable | Habl |
| Safari | Safara |
| Lute | Al-'ud |
| Canon | Qanun |
| Cipher | Sifr |
Anatomical Terms
| Latinized/English Name | Arabic Name |
| Aorta |
Avarta |
| Pancreas | Bankras |
| Colon | Colon |
| Cornea | Cornea |
| Corn | Corn |
| Basilie | Baslik |
| Epidemis | Aghadidus |
| Cephallie | Kifal |
| Sephenous | Safan |
| Diaphragm | Dayafergma |
| Menniges | Mennigies |
| Mesentry | Masarike |
| Peritoneum | Baratene |
| Trochanter | Tracanter |
Famous Scientists
| Arabic Name | Latinized/English Name |
| Jabir Ibn Haiyan | Geber |
| Al-Khawarizmi | Algorism, Algorithm |
| Al-Kindi | Alkindus |
| Al-Battani | Albategnius |
| Al-Farghani | Al-Fraganus |
| Al-Razi | Rhazes |
| Al-Farabi | Al-Pharabius |
| Abu Al-Qasim Al-Zahravi | Albucasis |
| Al-Haitham | Alhazen |
| Abu Al-Hasan Al-Mawardi | Alboacen |
| Ibn Sina | Avicenna |
| Ibn Zuhr | Avenzoar |
| Ibn Rushd | Averroes |
| Al-Zarqali | Arzachel |
| Al-Bitruji | Alpetragius |
| Al-Sufi | Azophi |
| Ibn Bajah | Avempace |
| Ali Abbas | Hale Abbas |
References:
1. George Sarton, "Introduction to the History of Science, Vol.
I-III," Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1927-31, also 1950.
2. Robert Briffault, "The Making of Humanity," London, 1938.
3. Thomas Arnold, "The Legacy of Islam," Oxford University Press, 1960.
4. T. Arnold and A. Guillaume, "The Legacy of Islam," Oxford University
Press, 1931.
5. E.G. Brown, "Arabian Medicine," Cambridge, 1921.
6. D. Campbell, "Arabian Medicine and its influence on the Middle Ages,"
London, 1926.
7. P.K. Hitti, "History of Arabs," London, MacMillan, 1956.
8. De Lacy O'Leary, "Arabic Thought in History."
9. A.A. Khairallah, "Outline of Arabic Contribution to Medicine," Beirut,
1946.
10. S.H. Nasr, "An Introduction to Islamic Cosmological Doctrine,"
Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1964.
11. Joseph Hell, "Arab Civilization."
(from http://www.erols.com/zenithco/Introl2.html)