orleans
orleans Lexical Profile
orleans Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A city in north-central France, situated on the Loire River, renowned for its historical significance and its successful defense by Joan of Arc in 1429.
"Joan of Arc is widely celebrated as the Maid of Orleans for her legendary role in lifting the siege of the city during the Hundred Years' War."
A historical French royal house that originated as a cadet branch of the House of Bourbon.
"The Duke of Orleans wielded considerable political power during the tumultuous periods leading up to the French Revolution."
A durable woven textile fabric made with a cotton warp and a worsted weft, originally manufactured in Orléans, France, and historically used for dresses and academic gowns.
"In the nineteenth century, many everyday garments were fashioned from a practical, inexpensive cloth known as orleans."
Word Nuance & Usage
In English, the word is most frequently encountered within the name of the American city 'New Orleans'. When referring to the French city or royal family, it is properly capitalized as a proper noun and often spelled with an acute accent (Orléans).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Late Latin 'Aurelianum', named in honor of the Roman emperor Aurelian. Over centuries, this name evolved phonetically into the modern French 'Orléans'.