ħwar

Maltese

Etymology

Probably from Arabic حَرارَات (ḥarārāt). The same dissimilation is apparently attested in regional Tunisian Arabic حوارات (ḥwārāt). The Maltese singular thence by backformation. The contemporary plural ħwawar appears to be secondary as it irregularly contains a long vowel followed by a semivowel.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ħwaːr/
Rhymes: -aːr

Noun

ħwar m (plural ħwawar)

spice (plant used for seasoning)

Related terms

ħrara