Hindu Kush

• Hindu-Kush, Hindukush
• Hindoo-Kush, Hindoo-Koosh, Hindu-Coosh, Hindoo Coosh (obsolete)

Ultimately derived from Classical Persian هِنْدُوکُش (hindūkuš), the etymology of which is uncertain.

• According to Ibn Battuta and popular etymology, from Classical Persian هِنْدُو (hindū, “Hindu”) +‎ کُش (kuš, present stem of کُشْتَن (kuštan, “to kill”)), literally “Hindu-killer”.^[1]
• According to others, a corruption of Classical Persian هِنْدُوکوه (hindūkōh), itself a compound of هِنْدُو (hindū, “Hindu”) +‎ کوه (kōh, “mountain”), literally “mountain of the Hindus”,^[1] in which case the name would be related to the term Hindkowan used to describe people living near the region who speak Hindko.

Attested in English from the 18th century.

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• Rhymes: -ʊʃ

Hindu Kush

1. A mountain range in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

   Synonym: Hindu Koh

• Hindukush
• Indocuche (uncommon)

Hindu Kush m

1. Hindu Kush (a mountain range in Afghanistan and Pakistan)