HEGIRA

PRONUNCIATION: (hi-JY-ruh, HEJ-uhr-uh)

MEANING: noun: A journey or migration, especially when taken to escape an undesirable situation.

ETYMOLOGY: From the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape persecution. From Arabic hijra (departure), from hajara (to depart). Earliest documented use: 1590.
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HEGILA - a male venomous lizard from SW US/NW Mexico

HEGIRO - mother of all submarine sandwiches (combination of HERO and GYRO)

MEGIRA - Bill Gates' retirement fund