racquet etymology

Etymology

The word "racquet" traces its origins to the Arabic word "rāḥa", meaning "palm of the hand."

Meaning

A racquet is a sporting implement used in various games such as tennis, badminton, squash, and racquetball. It consists of a frame with strings stretched across it, which is used to hit a ball or shuttlecock.

Origin

Ancient Origins:

  • The earliest known form of racquets originated in ancient Egypt around 1500 BC. These racquets were made of wood or animal hide stretched over a frame and were used for a game similar to modern-day tennis.
  • The Greeks and Romans also played similar games using racquets made of leather or animal gut.

Medieval Europe:

  • Racquets became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, where they were used in games such as "jeu de paume" (court tennis) and "fives."
  • These racquets were often made of wood with animal gut strings.

Modern Era:

  • In the 16th century, racquets evolved into the form we know today.
  • The first tennis racquets with a strung, wooden frame were developed in England.
  • String materials improved over time, with gut, nylon, and graphite becoming popular during the 20th century.
  • In the 19th and 20th centuries, various racquet sports such as badminton, squash, and racquetball emerged, each using its unique type of racquet.

racquet relate terms

  • tennis

    Etymology The word tennis is derived from the French word tenez which means hold o

  • tenet

    Etymology Latin teneō meaning to hold keep or possess Meaning A principle

  • sphere

    Etymology The word sphere comes from the Latin word sphaera which in turn comes from

  • racket

    The word racket is derived from the French word raquette which means a palm of the ha

  • racquet

    Etymology The word racquet traces its origins to the Arabic word rāḥa meaning pa

  • rack rent

    Etymology Rack Middle English rak meaning to stretch or to strain Rent Old Eng

  • racquetball

    Etymology Racquetball is a portmanteau of the words racket and ball Meaning Racq

  • racquet

    Etymology The word racquet traces its origins to the Arabic word rāḥa meaning pa

  • ball

    Etymology French balle Latin palla ball Meaning and Origin The word ball come

  • handle

    Etymology of Handle The word handle originates from the Middle English word handelen

  • hold

    Etymology Old English healdan Proto West Germanic haldan Proto Germanic haldaną P

  • cafe

    Etymology The word café originates from the French word café which in turn comes f

  • face

    Etymology The word face comes from the Middle English word face which in turn derive

  • grip

    Etymology of Grip The word grip has multiple origins Old Norse grípa meaning

  • prig

    Etymology The word prig is derived from the late Middle English word priggen meaning

  • handsome

    Etymology The word handsome originated in the 13th century from the Middle English wor

  • keel

    Etymology The word keel comes from the Middle English word kele which is derived fr