An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The → female human being.

Etymology (EN): M.E. womman, wimman, O.E. wifman, from wif “female” + man “human being.”

Etymology (PE): Zan “woman, wife” (variants Baluci, Zâzâ jan, Gorgâni cen, Baxtiyâri zine, Sangesari, Tâti, Kurd. žen, Kurd. kenâ, Karingâni yan); Mid.Pers. zan “woman, wife;” kaniz “maid, virgin, girl;” Av. jəni- “woman, wife;” cf. Skt. jáni- “woman, wife;” Gk. gyne “woman, wife;” O.E. cwen “queen, woman, wife” (E. queen; Arm. kin “woman;” PIE base *g^wenh- “woman, wife.”