nostril etymology

Etymology

The word "nostril" is derived from the Middle English word "nosethirl," which itself comes from the Old English words "nosu" (nose) and "thyrl" (hole).

Meaning

A nostril is each of the two external openings of the nose, through which air passes in and out of the respiratory system.

Origin

The use of the term "nostril" to refer to the external openings of the nose dates back to at least the 14th century. It is believed to have originated from the observation that these openings allow air to pass through the nose and into the respiratory system, creating a "hole" or "thyrl" in the nose.

Over time, the term "nosethirl" gradually evolved into the modern word "nostril." The use of the word "nostril" has remained consistent since then, and it is now commonly used in English-speaking countries to refer to the external openings of the nose.

nostril relate terms

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  Etymology The word wright originates from the Old English word wyrhta which means c

• work

  Etymology The word work comes from the Old English word weorc which means to do t

• thrash

  Etymology The word thrash is thought to have originated from Old English threscan

• thresh

  Etymology The word thresh derives from the Old English þerscan meaning to beat or

• third

  Etymology The word third shares an etymological root with the Germanic word tri mea

• thirty

  Etymology The word thirty comes from the Old English word þrītig pronounced thri

• bird

  Etymology The word bird has its roots in Old English where it was spelled bridd or

• wrought

  Etymology The word wrought originates from the Old English word worhte which is the

• nostril

  Etymology The word nostril is derived from the Middle English word nosethirl which i

• arsehole

  Etymology The word arsehole is derived from two Old English words ærs arse mea

• hole

  Etymology The word hole comes from the Middle English hol which is derived from the

• thrill

  Etymology The word thrill is derived from the Old English word þrillan which means

• nostril

  Etymology The word nostril is derived from the Middle English word nosethirl which i

• thrill

  Etymology The word thrill is derived from the Old English word þrillan which means

• frown

  Etymology The word frown originates from the Old English word frunian meaning to w

• match

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• nose

  Etymology The word nose is derived from the Old English word nosu which is thought t

• inimical

  Etymology Latin inimīcus enemy Proto Indo European h₃en h₁kó s uncongenia

• blackmail

  Etymology The word blackmail is derived from the Middle English phrase blake male

• Islam

  Etymology The word Islam originates from the Arabic root word salām which means p

• repent

  Etymology From Middle English repenten from Late Latin repentīre to regret repent

• trust

  Etymology The word trust comes from the Old English word treowe which means faithf