Turk
UK: tɜːk | US: tɜːrk
n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Turkey.
n. 2. (historical) A member of the Turkic peoples or their languages.
n. 3. (archaic, sometimes offensive) A Muslim, especially of Ottoman descent.
The word "Turk" originates from Old Turkic Türük or Türk, meaning "strong" or "powerful," referring to the nomadic tribes of Central Asia. It entered European languages through Medieval Latin Turcus and Old French Turc, reflecting the prominence of the Seljuk and Ottoman empires. The term evolved from an ethnic identifier to a broader cultural and religious label during the Crusades and Ottoman expansions.
The Turkic languages include Turkish, Uzbek, and Kazakh.
Many historical accounts describe the Turks as skilled warriors.
She studied the art of the Ottoman Turks.
The word "coffee" entered Europe through Turkish traders.
Some European medieval texts used "Turk" synonymously with "Muslim."