i was reading an Urdu book and i read a rather common word; i was curious whether this was the origin of the word rote in english. so i promptly checked the dictionary:
2.by rote, from memory, without thought of the meaning; in a mechanical way: to learn a language by rote.
rote1 (rəʊt)
— n
1. a habitual or mechanical routine or procedure
2. by rote by repetition; by heart (often in the phrase learn by rote )
[C14: origin unknown]
رٿنا रटना raá¹nÄ :
[caus. of rt. रटà¥], v.t. To repeat, iterate; to call out; to solicit, or to demand, repeatedly.
Hindi رٿنا रटना raá¹nÄ, s.f. Repetition, iteration; persistent solicitation or demand, importunity:—raá¹nÄ lagnÄ (-ko), To be constantly repeating; to make repeated request (for), to be importunate.
oh, well. but the dictionary also says that it has been in use since the 13th century – and the english came to india only much later. however, this could have been descended from german – and since german is related to sanskrit, there must be a something related somewhere.
Origin: 1275–1325; Middle English; of obscure origin
