Etymology
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jinn (n.)

1680s, djen, from Arabic jinn. It is a collective plural, "demons, spirits, angels;" the proper singular is jinni, which appears in English occasionally as jinnee (1840) but more frequently as genie. Similarity to genius is accidental.

Entries linking to jinn

genie (n.)

1650s, "tutelary spirit," from French génie, from Latin genius (see genius); used in French translation of "Arabian Nights" to render Arabic jinni, singular of jinn, which it accidentally resembled, and attested in English with this sense from 1748.

updated on February 09, 2016

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Dictionary entries near jinn

jingle-jangle

jinglet

jingo

jingoism

jink

jinn

Jinny

jinx

jirgah

jism

jitney

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper