Libya
|Lib-ya|
/ˈlɪb.i.ə/
land/people of the Libu (North African region)
Etymology
'Libya' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'Λιβύη' (Libyē), which was itself derived from the name of the Libu (or Lubu) people known in Egyptian and Near Eastern sources.
'Libya' passed from Ancient Greek 'Libyē' into Latin as 'Libya', then into Medieval and Middle English forms such as 'Libye' before becoming the modern English 'Libya'.
Initially it referred broadly to the land or peoples west of Egypt (the Libu); over time it became the proper name of the modern country 'Libya'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a country in North Africa, officially the State of Libya; capital Tripoli.
Libya is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in North Africa.
Noun 2
in classical antiquity, a region of North Africa (a broader geographic area in ancient texts).
In some ancient Greek writings, Libya referred to a large region of North Africa rather than the modern state.
Last updated: 2025/12/31 10:22