Albion
See also: Álbion
English
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The first European map from a 1552 edition of Ptolemy's Geography, depicting "Hibernia" and "Albion" as known to the Romans.
Etymology
Ancient Gallo-Latin name for Britain, Albiōn (Middle Welsh Albbu, Old Irish Albu), is from Proto-Celtic *Albiū, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *albʰós (“white”), whence also Latin albus (“white”) and Ancient Greek ἀλφός (alphós, “whiteness, white leprosy”). The primary meaning of Common Celtic word is "upper world" (as opposed to underworld), with semasiological development similar to e.g. Russian свет (svet, “world; light”).
It is often hypothesised that the Romans took it as connected with albus (“white”), in reference to the White cliffs of Dover.
Proper noun
Albion
- (now poetic) England (or sometimes the British Isles).
- Any of several places in the United States:
- a city in Illinois, and the county seat of Edwards County.
- a city in Nebraska, and the county seat of Boone County.
- a village in and the county seat of Orleans County, New York.
- West Bromwich Albion Football Club, a football team from West Bromwich
Related terms
- perfidious Albion
Translations
Polish
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈal.bʲɔn/
Usage notes
Often used with the adjective mglisty (“foggy”).
Swedish
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