Abstract:

"Alfalfa" is a word appeared with alfalfa was introduced into China in the Han Dynasty, and which belongs to the western regions in foreign words. This article uses the principle and method of plant textology, and interoperates the origin of alfalfa, evolution of alfalfa name and alfalfa produced synonyms. So far, the understanding of the origin of "alfalfa" is not unified, there are three main viewpoints, alfalfa is from Iran buxsux, buksuk or buxsak; alfalfa is a transliteration of the Sanskrit māksika; alfalfa is a transliteration of the Greek Medikai. Most Chinese scholars are agreed with the first viewpoint. As for the transliteration of the word, "alfalfa" into our initial stage, there are many homophones, such as Fisfisa, Mu Su, Gamaliel, until the Tang Dynasty appeared the use of the special term of "alfalfa". In addition, because of the differences in dialects and cultures, there are many aliases in ancient time, such as the Wind, Scenery, Renshi grass, Nasal plug, Light wind grass and Grey millet grass.

Key words: Alfalfa, Foreign words, Etymology, Synonym

摘要：

“苜蓿”一词随着苜蓿在汉代传入我国而出现，属于西域外来词。本文采用植物考据学原理与方法，对“苜蓿”词源、苜蓿名称的演变和苜蓿异名的产生等进行了考释。到目前为止，对我国“苜蓿”词源的认识还不统一，主要有3种观点：一是“苜蓿”源自伊朗语buksuk、buxsux或buxsuk；二是“苜蓿”是梵语māksika一词的音译；三是“苜蓿”为希腊语Medikai之音译。我国多数学者认可第一种观点。由于“苜蓿”为音译词，在苜蓿进入我国初期，出现了许多同音异字，诸如目宿、牧宿、蓿等苜蓿的不同写法，一直到唐代才出现了今天使用的苜蓿专用名词。此外，由于各地方言乃至文化的差异，在古代苜蓿还有许多别名，如怀风、风光、连枝草，塞鼻力迦、光风草和灰粟等。

关键词: 苜蓿, 外来词, 词源, 异名