Anjou
|An-jou|
/ˈɑːnʒuː/
name of a French region / derived names
Etymology
'Anjou' originates from Latin (Gallo-Roman) 'Andegavia', the name of the territory of the Gallic tribe Andecavi.
'Andegavia' changed in Old French to forms such as 'Angeu'/'Anjou' and eventually became the modern French and English place-name 'Anjou'.
Initially, it meant the land or territory of the Andecavi people; over time it came to denote the medieval county/duchy, associated dynasties (House of Anjou), and later was applied to products (e.g., the pear) and surnames.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a historical province (county/duchy) in west-central France, centered on the city of Angers.
Anjou was an important medieval province in what is now western France.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the noble house or dynasty originating from that province (e.g., the House of Anjou), used to refer to members, titles, or dynastic lines.
Members of the House of Anjou became rulers in parts of Europe during the Middle Ages.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a cultivar of pear commonly called Anjou or D'Anjou (a green or red dessert pear variety sold in markets).
I bought a bag of Anjou pears at the farmers' market.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/29 22:21