Etymology

English is a language influenced my dozens of other languages from many different parts of the world. Here are just a few examples of words and the languages they can be traced back to.

• zero-c.1600, from It. zero, from M.L. zephirum, from Arabic sifr
• caliber-1560s, "degree of merit or importance," from M.Fr. calibre (late 15c.), ultimately from Arabic qalib "a mold for casting."
• algebra-1550s, from M.L. algebra, from Arabic al jebr "reunion of broken parts,"
• alchohol-1540s (early 15c. as alcofol), "fine powder produced by sublimation," from M.L. alcohol "powdered ore of antimony," from Arabic al-kuhul
• orange-c.1300, from O.Fr. orange, orenge (12c., Mod.Fr. orange), from M.L. pomum de orenge
• spinach-c.1400, from Anglo-Fr. spinache, O.Fr. espinache
• mattress-late 13c., from O.Fr. materas (12c., Mod.Fr. matelas), from It. materasso and directly from M.L. matracium
• alcove-1670s, "vaulted recess," from Fr. alcôve (17c.), from Sp. alcoba, from Arabic al-qobbah "the vaulted chamber," 
• admiral-c.1200, "Saracen commander," from O.Fr. amirail (12c.)
• sugar-late 13c., sugre, from O.Fr. sucre "sugar" (12c.), from M.L. succarum, from Arabic sukkar