naan
UK[nɑːn]US[nɑːn]
n
A type of flat, leavened bread, typically teardrop-shaped and baked in a tandoor, originating from South and Central Asia.
Etymology
The word 'naan' entered English as a direct borrowing from Hindi and Urdu 'nān', which itself comes from Persian 'nān', meaning 'bread'. Its lineage can be traced further back to the Middle Persian 'n'n' and the Proto-Iranian root 'nagna-', also signifying bread. The term became a fixture in English vocabulary through the cultural and culinary exchanges of the British colonial period in the Indian subcontinent, solidifying its place as the standard name for this specific, oven-baked flatbread in the English-speaking world.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Hindi-Urdu, ultimately derived from Persian. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes.
Examples
We ordered garlic naan and chicken curry for dinner.
The restaurant serves its naan fresh from the clay tandoor.
Naan is often used to scoop up stews and dips.