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orange

The origin and history of orange.

Etymology

From Old French pome orenge, ultimately traced through Arabic naranj and Persian back to Sanskrit naranga, "orange tree." The color sense only developed in English around the 1500s, after the fruit's name was already in use.

Origin: Old French · First attested 1500

Class of 1500

orange first entered the language around 1500. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1500 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.