minaret
UK: ˈmɪnərɛt | US: ˈmɪnərɛt
n. a tall, slender tower, typically part of a mosque, with a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.
minaret = minar<tower> + et<diminutive suffix>
- minar (from Arabic manāra "lighthouse, tower," derived from nār "fire," referencing the light or beacon traditionally placed atop such structures).
- et (a French diminutive suffix, often indicating smallness or endearment; here, it subtly modifies the word's form without altering its core meaning).
Etymology Origin:
The word minaret entered English via French (minaret), which borrowed it from Ottoman Turkish (minare), itself derived from Arabic manāra. Originally denoting a lighthouse or beacon tower (from the Arabic root n-w-r, meaning "light"), the term evolved to describe the distinctive towers of mosques, which historically served as visual and auditory markers for prayer calls. The French suffix -et was added as a linguistic adaptation, though it doesn’t significantly alter the word’s meaning.
The minaret of the ancient mosque stood gracefully against the sunset.
From the minaret’s balcony, the muezzin’s voice echoed across the city.
Tourists admired the intricate tilework decorating the minaret.
The minaret’s height symbolizes a connection between earth and heaven.
Restoration efforts focused on preserving the minaret’s original architecture.