Langimage
English

Devonshire

|Dev-on-shire|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈdɛvənˌʃɪr/

🇬🇧

/ˈdɛvənˌʃɪə/

Historical county in England

Etymology
Etymology Information

'Devonshire' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'Defenascīr,' where 'Defena' referred to the people of Devon and 'scīr' meant 'district' or 'shire.'

Historical Evolution

'Defenascīr' transformed into the Middle English word 'Devonshire,' and eventually became the modern English word 'Devonshire.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to the district of the people of Devon, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a historical county in the southwest of England, known for its picturesque landscapes and coastal areas.

Devonshire is famous for its cream teas and scenic countryside.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45