GLOSSARY OF PERSIAN WORDS,
Having the transliteration of the Oriental scholar Johnson affixed in parentheses to most words. Where no parentheses occur, the same way of writing the word as that scholar is employed.
Abba, Abbah (abā).—A long, sleeveless, square-cut cloak, generally of camel-hair—much worn by priests.
Ab-i-Rūkhni (ābi rukni).—The Spring of Rukhni (Rooknabad, Moore).
Ab Khori (āb khūrī).—A watering bit.
Achōn (ākhūn).—A schoolmaster.
Agha, Aga (āghā).—A lord, a master.
Ahū (āhū).—An antelope.
Aid-i-no rūz (aidi naw roz).—New Year’s Day.
Alangū.—A bangle (of glass).
Aleph, Alef (alaf).—A grain, grass, or forage-seller.
Alhamdulillah (al hamdu li’llāh).—Thank God. Praise to God.
Alkalūk, Alkalōok (alkhálik).—An inner quilted tunic.
Alū Balū (ālū bālū).—A cherry.
Alū Bokhara (ālū Bokhara).—A kind of small acid plum.
Amān, Amaun (amān).—Mercy!
Anderūn (andarūn).—The harem. Women’s quarters.
Asp-i-no-zin (aspi naw zīn).—A horse just fit for the saddle.
Badinjon (bādinjān).—The aubergine or brinjal.
Badragha (badraka).—A riding out with a departing guest.
Baggali (baghalī).—Native glass bottles.
Bakkal (bakkāl).—A general dealer.
Bamiah.—The ladies’-finger (a vegetable).
Bala khana (bālā khāna).—An upper room, hence balcony.
Bander (banda).—Literally, a slave. I (by courtesy used).
Bazaar (bāzār).—A collection of shops (the road between which is usually covered).
Bazaar kabob (bāzār kabāb).—Minced and seasoned meat toasted.
Bāzārcha buland.—The lofty bazaar.
Bazū-band (bāzū-band).—An armlet (generally containing a talisman).
Bazzaz.—A shopkeeper.
Belli (balē).—Yes.
Bero (bi-ro).—Go! (Imperative).
Berūni (birūni).—The outer (or men’s) apartments.
Bezun (bi-zan).—Beat! (Imperative).
Bhuta (bota).—Camel-thorn, brushwood.
Bismillah (bismi’llāh).—In the name of God!
Borio (būrīy).—A kind of coarse matting.
Brilliān (biryān).—Minced and spiced meat sold cooked in the bazaar.
Bulbul (pronounced Bull Bull).—A nightingale.
Būrak.—A small meat pie.
Butcha, Batcha (bacha).—Child! (Mode of addressing servants, equivalent to the Anglo-Indian, boy!)
Cafsh-dooz. See Kafsh-dooz.
Cah (See Kah).—Cut straw.
Cajaweh. See Kajaweh.
Calaat. See Kalaat.
Calam-i-Rumi. See Kalam-i-Rumi.
Canaāt. See Kanaat.
Canjar. See Kanjar.
Caravanserai. See Karavanserai.
Chadūr (chādar).—An outer woman’s veil.
Chai (chā).—Tea (used throughout Russia and the East).
Chargāt (chargāt).—A square headkerchief.
Chehel sitoon (chihal-sitūn).—“The Forty Columns.”
Chekmeh-dooz (Chakmah dūz).—A boot-maker.
Chenar (chanār).—A plane-tree.
Cherragh (charāgh).—A lamp (in form and principle that of the early classic one).
Chick (chīgh).—A fly blind.
Chillaw (chulāw).—Plain boiled rice.
Chocolah (chaghāla).—Green fruit when very small.
Chuppao (chāpū).—A raid on horseback.
Chupper (chār pā).—A mounted post (a quadruped), posting.
Chupperkhana (chār pā khāna).—A posting-house.
Colah. See Kolah.
Coorjin. See Koorjīn.
Coorshid. See Kūrshid.
Cossib. See Kossib.
Danah (dahanah).—A curb-ring bit.
Dar (dār).—A gallows, the execution pole.
Delak (dallāk).—A barber, a bath attendant.
Delleh.—A kind of weasel (? Mustela sarmatica).
Deyeereh (dayyīrah).—A tambourine.
Dilgoosha (dil-ku-shāy).—“Heartsease,” name of a garden at Shiraz.
Dolma (dūlmah).—A kind of sweet or flavoured pudding of rice or meat.
Doogh (dogh).—Buttermilk, curds and water.
Dozd (duzd).—A thief.
Dozd gah (duzd-gāh).—A place of thieves.
Dubbeh (dabbah).—A repented and repudiated bargain.
Dyah (dāya).—A wet nurse.
Fal (fāl).—A lot, an omen (sortes), pronounced fahl.
Farnoose (fānūs).—A cylindrical lantern.
Farrash, Ferash (farāsh).—A carpet-spreader.
Farrash (ferash)-Bashi.—Lit. chief carpet-spreader.
Farsakh.—A distance of from three and a half to four miles, the hour’s march of a loaded mule, the parasang of Xenophon.
Farsh.—A carpet of any kind.
Fellak, Fellek (fallak).—A pole having a noose attached to hold the feet for the application of “the sticks” (or bastinado).
Feramoosh-khana (farāmush khana).—The (lit.) house of forgetfulness, a masonic lodge.
Fizinjan (fizinjān).—A dish flavoured with condensed pomegranate juice and pounded walnuts.
Furder Insh’allah (fardā Insh’allāh).—“Please God to-morrow.”
Gelas (gelās).—A white-heart cherry.
Gelim (gilīm).—A common kind of carpet.
Germak (garmak).—A small early melon.
Gezanjabine (gazangubīn).—Manna, or nougat.
Gheva (gewa).—A summer shoe described at p. 190.
Gholam (ghulām).—A mounted servant, lit. a slave, an irregular cavalry-man.
Goja (gaujah).—A small green plum.
Gōmpezah (gōmbeza).—A dome.
Goor Khur (gor khar).—The wild ass.
Gūl (gul).—A flower.
Gūl Anar (guli nār).—Pomegranate flower.
Gūl-i-Soorkh (guli surkh).—The moss rose from which the attār is made.
Gūmrūk (gumruk).—A custom-house.
Gūmrūkji (gumruk-chi).—A custom-house officer, or farmer of customs.
Gunge (ganj).—A treasure.
Gungifeh (ganjīfa).—Playing cards.
Hakim (hakīm).—A physician.
Hakim-bashi (hakīm bashi).—The chief physician.
Hammal (hammāl).—A porter.
Hammam (hammām).—A bath similar to the Turkish bath.
Harrh (harr).—Rabid.
Hassin or Hasseen (hasīn).—A pan.
Hassir (hasīr).—A kind of fine matting.
Hauz (hawz).—A tank generally of stone and raised above the ground-level.
Henna (hinnā).—A vegetable dye used on hair, hands, and feet.
Hindiwana (hinduwānah).—A water-melon.
Hissam u Sultaneh (Husām us Sultana).—The Sharp Sword of the State (a title that was given to the late uncle of the Shah).
Hoojrah (hajrah).—An office, or bureau.
Huc (hak).—A share, the dervishes’ cry.
Hukhm (hukm).—An order.
Imād-u-Dowlet (Imad ud Dawla).—A title, viz. the Pillar of the State.
Imam (imām).—A saint.
Iran (Īrān).—Persia.
Istikhbal (istikbāl).—A riding out to meet an arriving guest or personage.
Istikhara (istiharat).—Omens (taking), chances.
Itizad-u-Sultaneh (Itizād us Saltanah).—A title, viz. the Support of the State.
Jai-sheer (jayshīr).—Wild celery.
Jejim (jājim).—A thin kind of travelling carpet.
Jika (jīgha).—A jewel worn on the head by women. The royal hat ornament of feathers and diamonds.
Jūl (jall).—A portion of horse-clothing.
Jūniver (jānwār).—A wild animal, an animal.
Kabab or Kabob (kabāb).—A roast or toasted meat.
Kaffir (kāfir).—An infidel (a term of reproach).
Kafsh.—A shoe.
Kafsh-dooz (kafsh-doz).—A shoe- or slipper-maker.
Kafteh-bazi (kaftār).—Pigeon-flying.
Kah (kāh).—Cut straw.
Kah gil (kāh gil).—Clay and straw mixed for plastering.
Kahtam (khātam).—Inlaid work like Tonbridge ware.
Kajaweh (kajāwa).—A covered horse pannier.
Kalaat (khalat).—A robe (or other token) of honour.
Kalam-dan (kalamdān).—A pen-case.
Kalam-i-Rumi (kallami-Rumi).—Lit. Turkish cabbage.
Kali (kālī).—A carpet having a pile.
Kalian, Kallian, Calian (kalyūn, kalyān).—A water-pipe or hubble-bubble.
Kallehpuz (kallapaz).—Sheep’s head- and trotter-boiler.
Kanaat, Kanat, Canaāt (kanāt).—An underground channel for irrigating.
Kanara (kanāra).—A side carpet.
Kanjar (khanjar).—A curved dagger.
Karavanserai (karavān-serai).—A public rest-house for caravans; a khan.
Karbīza (kharbuza).—A melon.
Karkool (kakūl).—A long lock of hair by which Mahommed is supposed to draw the believer up into paradise.
Kashang.—A beau, lit. beautiful.
Kawam.—A prefect.
Keeal (kayal).—A cucumber.
Keesa, Keeseh (kisa).—A hair glove used in the bath.
Keisi (kayzi ?).—Dried apricots.
Kemmerbund (kamar-band).—A belt, or sash.
Kendil (kindīl).—A votive offering of peculiar shape, generally of copper or other metal.
Kenneh (? kannah).—A camel- or sheep-tick.
Ketkhoda (kat-khudā).—The head-man of a parish or village.
Khan (Khān).—A conferred title, which descends to all children—now very common: in the second generation equal to Esquire.
Khānum (khānam).—A lady.
Khok ber ser um (khāk bar sar-am).—Ashes on my head.
Kholar (? kolar).—A kind of wine of Shiraz.
Khyat (khayyāt).—A tailor.
Kohl.—Black antimony, eye paint.
Kolah (kulah).—A hat.
Kolajah (kulījah).—An outer coat for men or women.
Koompezeh, Kumbiza (kumbīza).—A species of cucumber.
Koorisht (khūrish).—A savoury dish, a ragout.
Koorjin, Coorjin (khwur-chīn).—Saddle-bags.
Kosh guzeran (khwush guzārān).—A free liver.
Kossib, Cossib (kasb).—A craftsman.
Kotol.—An effigy.
Kotul (kutal).—A mountain pass, lit. a ladder.
Kummer, Kammer (kammah).—A straight hiltless sword or dirk, with a broad blade.
Kūmrah (khumra).—A wine (or other) jar.
Kūrbāghah.—A frog.
Kūrshid (khūrshīd).—The sun with rays of light.
Kūrsi (kūrsī).—A small platform used to cover a fire-pot, a chair.
Kuttl-i-aum (katli ām).—A general massacre.
Lahaf (lihāf).—A quilted coverlid.
Lallah (lālā).—A male nurse.
Lanjin, Lanjeen.—An earthen pan.
Latifeh (latīfeh ?).—A courtezan, a Persian court card.
Lodah, Lodeh (lawda).—A pannier for grapes.
Lūti (lūtī).—A buffoon, a scamp, a thief.
Machrore (makrūh).—Lit. detestable, but yet not illicit; things not to be eaten, but yet not unclean; i. e. not an unlawful thing, but one which had better be avoided.
Maidān (maydān, mīdān).—The public square. A distance about a furlong.
Makhmūn shud um (makhmūn shudam).—I am deceived.
Mallagh (?).—A tumbler pigeon, a summersault.
Mambar (mimbar).—A pulpit.
Mangal (munkul).—A brazier.
Mash’allah (Māshā’llah).—Lit. What God pleases! A phrase used when praising, to avoid evil eye.
Mast (māst).—Curdled milk (Turkish, yaourt).
Maund (man).—A Persian weight of nearly seven, or nearly fourteen pounds.
Meana (miyāna).—The middle. The middle tube of the water-pipe.
Mehdresseh (medresseh; Arabic, madrasat).—A college.
Mejlis (majlas).—An assembly, a reception.
Mil, Meel (mayl).—A column, a watch-tower.
Mir-achor (mīr-ākhur).—Master of the horse, the.
Mir-shikar (mīr-shikār).—Chief huntsman, the.
Mirza (mīrzā).—One who can write, a clerk, a secretary, a gentleman. As an affix equals “Prince.”
Moaalim (mwallīm).—A schoolmaster.
Modakel (mudākhil).—Illicit percentage, “cabbage.”
Mohulla (mahallah).—A street, a parish.
Monajem (munajjam).—An astrologer.
Mor (muhr).—A seal, a piece, as at draughts, etc.
Mūlla, Moollah (mūllā).—A priest.
Mūnshi, Moonshee (munshī).—A secretary, a clerk.
Murshed (murshid).—A chief of dervishes, or of a sect or guild.
Mūschir (mushīr al mulk).[38]—The principal revenue officer of Fars.
Mūshtahed (Mujtahid).—A teacher of law.
Must (mast).—Lit. drunk. The state of excitement of the camel, etc.
Mutlub (matlab).—The pith, or meaning (of a letter).
Naib (naīb).—A deputy, a post-house keeper.
Naksh.—A kind of embroidery. See p. 131.
Nammad (namad).—A felt (of various kinds).
Nammak (namak).—Beauty of a brunette, high colour.
Narghil (nārjīl).—A cocoa-nut, a kind of water-pipe.
Nawalla (?).—Balls of flour given to horses and camels.
Nazir (nāzir).—A steward.
Neh (nay).—A reed, a spear, a flute.
Neh-peech (nay-pīch).—The flexible tube of a water-pipe.
Nejis (najīs).—Unclean.
Nober (nawba).—First-fruits.
Noker (nawkar).—A servant.
Nuffus (nafs).—Breath.
Ootoo (atw).—An iron.
Ootoo kesh (atw-kash).—An ironer.
Orūssēe (ūrūsī).—Lit. Russian, i. e. foreign. A Russian (-shaped), i. e. foreign shoe, a raisable window, a room having a raisable window, etc.
Paleng (palank).—A panther.
Pallikee (pālkī?).—A mule pannier to ride in.
Pane (pa-in).—Dried horse-dung.
Peilewan, Pehliwan (pahlevān).—A wrestler.
Peish-kesh (pīsh-kash).—An offering to obtain favour (a nominal present).
Peish Khidmut (pīsh khidmat).—A head table-servant.
Peish-waz (pīsh-wāz).—Lit. a going out to meet.
Perhān, Perahān (pīrahan).—A shirt (for man, woman, or horse).
Pider-sag (pidar sag).—Son of a dog! (Lit. O dog-fathered one!)
Pillaw, Pilaw (palāw).—Rice boiled with butter.
Pūlad (pūlād).—Art steel-work. Damascened iron.
Rammal (rammāl).—A conjuring mountebank and finder of treasure, a diviner. See p. 120.
Rangraz (rang-rez).—A dyer.
Rassianah (rāziyānah).—Anise plant, the.
Reich-i-Baba (rīsh-i-Baba).—A grape called “Old man’s beard.”
Reis-i-Seem (rais).—Lit. master of the wire, i. e. Telegraph superintendent.
Resht-i-Behesht (Risht-i-Bihisht ?).—Glory or brightness of heaven.
Rivend (rīwand).—Rhubarb.
Roseh Khana (rosah-khānah).—A prayer-meeting, etc.
Rubanda (rū-band).—A (face) veil.
Rushwah (rishwat).—Lit. manure, i. e. a bribe.
Ryot (ra-īyat).—A subject, a tiller of the earth, a villager.
Sag.—A dog, a cur, a term of abuse.
Sahib (sāhib).—Lit. owner; Sir, Mr. (to an European).
Sāle ab (sayl ab).—Rise of the waters.
Sandalli (sandalī).—A chair.
Sang.—Lit. a stone, i. e. a weight.
Sangak.—A kind of bread. See p. 334.
Santoor, Santūr (santīr or santūr).—Harmonicon.
Sarhang.—A colonel.
Segah (sīgha).—A concubine.
Ser-andaz (sar-andāz).—That (carpet) laid over the head (of the room).
Ser-Kashik-ji-bashi (sar-kashīkchi bāshī).—Chief of the guard.
Seroff (sarrāf).—A banker, a money-changer.
Shah (Shāh).—The King.
Shahzadeh (Shāh-zāda).—Lit. born of a King, i. e. Prince (or descendant of a Prince or King).
Shargird-chupper (shāgird-chāpār).—A posting guide.
Shatir (shātir).—A running footman.
Shatrunj (shatrang).—Chess.
Shatur.—A wrinkle.
Sheera (shīra).—Condensed grape sugar.
Shemr (Shimar).—The slayer of the martyr Houssein.
Sherbet (sharbat).—Syrup—generally fruit syrup—syrup and water.
Sherbet-dar (sharbat-dār).—A servant who makes ices, etc.
Shikari (shikārī).—A huntsman.
Shireh-Khana (? shīra-khāna).—A wine-factory.
Shitūr (shatūr).—A wrinkle (of a carpet, etc.).
Shub-kolah (shab-kulah).—A night-hat (or cap).
Shukker para (shakar-pāra).—A kind of very sweet apricot (lit. a lump of sugar).
Shul-berf (shal [?] bāf).—Loosely woven.
Shulwar (shalwār).—Trousers, breeches, petticoats.
Shuma (shumā).—You.
Soorki, Sorki (sākī).—(Classical) a cupbearer.
Sufrah.—A sheet of stuff or leather spread on ground to dine off.
Sungak. See Sangak.
Syud, Seyd (sayyid).—A descendant of Mahommed.
Tager (tājir).—A merchant.
Takhja (tākchah).—A recess in the wall a yard from the ground, a niche.
Takht.—A throne, a bedstead, a sofa, a platform.
Takht-i-Nadir (takhti-Nadir).—Backgammon. (Nādir Shah’s favourite game.)
Takht-i-Pul.—A kind of backgammon.
Takht-rowan (takhti-ravanda).—Lit. a flowing or running bed, i. e. a horse-litter.
Talár (tālār).—A lofty verandah, an arched room open at one end.
Tamasha (tamāsha).—A show, a sight, a spectacle.
Tannoor, Tannūr, Tandoor (tannūr).—An oven.
Tarr (tār).—A guitar-like banjo.
Tatar (Turkish).—A gholam, a post rider, a courier.
Tazzia (Ta-ziyah).—The religious dramas or miracle plays.
Tazzie (tāzi).—A greyhound.
Teleet (? talīt).—A mixture of grass and cut straw for horse feed.
Telism (tilism).—A talisman.
Teriak (tiryak).—Opium.
Teriakdan (tiryak-dan).—An opium pill-box.
Teriakmali (tiryak-māli).—Rubbing (i. e. preparation of) opium.
Terkesh-dooz (tarkash-doz).—A quiver-maker, a saddler.
Toman, Tomaun (tomān).—Ten kerans (7s. 6d.), a gold coin.
Toolah (tūla).—A sporting dog.
Toorbesah, Toorbiza (turbuza).—A radish.
Tootoon (tūtan).—Tobacco for the chibouque.
Tūmbak (tumbak).—A kind of drum.
Tūmbaku (tumbākū).—Tobacco used for the kalian or water-pipe.
Tūmbūn (tumban).—Petticoats (made as very loose drawers).
Umbar (ambār).—A cellar or store-room, a go-down.
Ūtū or Ootoo (atw).—An iron (flat or otherwise).
Utu-kesh (atw kash).—An ironer.
Vakeel-u-dowleh (wakīl ud Dawlah).—An agent of Government; the empty title given to native newswriters, who are supposed to act as English Consuls, and whose offices are sinecures.
Yabū (yābū).—A pony, a common horse, a horse.
Yahū (?).—A kind of common house pigeon.
Yakhjal (Yakh-chāl).—An ice-store; a pond (and wall) for making ice.
Yaourt (Turkish).—Curdled milk, (Persian) “mast.”
Yashmak (Turkish).—A kind of veil, or face covering.
Yawash (Turkish).—Gently, slowly.
Yessaoul (yasāwal).—A mounted mace-bearer.
Zalābi or Zalābieh (zalībiyā).—A sweet cake or fritter eaten in Ramazan at night.
Zambūrek (zambūrak).—A tiny cannon carried on and fired from a camel’s back (from Zambūr, a wasp).
Zangal (zangāl).—A legging.
Zenda-Rūd, Zendarūd (Zanda-Rud).—The river at Ispahan.
Zil-es-Sultan (Zill us Sultan) (title).—Shadow of the King.
Zoban-i-Gunghishk (zabāni gunjishk).—Lit. sparrow’s tongue, a kind of willow.
Zūlf (zulf).—A long love-lock, a curl.