An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A building or structure taller than its diameter and high relative to its surroundings, either separated or forming part of a building.

Etymology (EN): From M.E. tour, earlier tur, tor, from O.Fr., from L. turris, from Gk. tyrris “tower.”

Etymology (PE): Borj “tower,” related to Pers. borz “height, magnitude, greatness,” boland “high,” bâlâ “up, above, high, elevated, height,”
Laki dialect berg “hill, mountain;” Mid.Pers. burz “height,” buland “high;” O.Pers. baršan- “height;” Av. barəz- “high, mount,” barezan- “height;” cf. Skt. bhrant- “high;” L. fortis “strong” (Fr. and E. force); O.E. burg, burh “castle, fortified place,” from P.Gmc. *burgs “fortress;” Ger. Burg “castle,” Goth. baurgs “city,” E. burg, borough, Fr. bourgeois, bourgeoisie, faubourg; PIE base *bhergh- “high;” borj loaned into Ar. from Mid.Pers. as burj.