Parsifal
German
Etymology
19th century rendering of Middle High German Parzival, based on a dubious etymology of the name popularized by Richard Wagner for his synonymous musical drama. In 1813, Joseph Görres had claimed that the words Parsi (or Parseh) Fal meant “pure fool” (“der reine oder arme Dumme”) in Arabic.[1]
Proper noun
Parsifal m (genitive Parsifals)
- Percival (especially as protagonist of Wagner's synonymous musical drama).
References
- Joseph Görres, Einleitung, p. vi, in: id. (ed.), Lohengrin, ein altteutsches Gedicht, nach der Abschrift des Vaticanischen Manuscriptes von Ferdinand Gloekle. Mohr und Zimmer, Heidelberg 1813.
Italian
Etymology
From German Parsifal.
Proper noun
Parsifal m
- Percival (especially as protagonist of Wagner's synonymous musical drama).