Where Does the Word Serdab Come from?

The word serdab is derived from the Arabic word, sirddb, "cellar," itself borrowed in turn from the Persian phrase sdrd- "cold water," an original meaning quite far from its Egyptological application.

What does the word Serdab mean?

1 : a narrow chamber of the ancient Egyptian mastaba either concealed or accessible only by a narrow passage and containing a statue of the deceased. 2 : a living room in the basement of a house in the Near East that provides coolness during the summer months.

What is Serdab in ancient Egypt?

A serdab (Persian: سرداب‎), literally meaning "cold water", which became a loanword in Arabic for 'cellar') is an ancient Egyptian tomb structure that served as a chamber for the Ka statue of a deceased individual.