roanoke
roanoke Lexical Profile
• noun
American An independent city located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia, historically significant as a major hub for the regional railroad network.
American A late 16th-century English settlement on an island off the coast of present-day North Carolina, famous as the 'Lost Colony' due to the unexplained disappearance of its inhabitants.
"The mystery of Roanoke continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists who search for clues about the early colonists' fate."
American White shell beads historically used as currency or for ceremonial trade by Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes in the Virginia and North Carolina regions.
"Early European explorers traded copper and glass beads for roanoke to secure alliances with the coastal tribes."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term most commonly refers either to the modern independent city in Virginia or the historical 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke Island in North Carolina, requiring context to distinguish between the two prominent geographical entities.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Algonquian word 'rawrenok' (or 'roanoak'), meaning white shell beads used as wampum. It was subsequently applied to the island, the river, and the city in Virginia.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.