Angkor

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historical site in Cambodia known for its ancient temple complex, reflecting the grandeur of the Khmer Empire's architecture and cultural heritage
2. The ruins of a significant city from the Khmer Empire, notable for its impressive monuments, intricate carvings, and extensive urban planning
3. A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the remains of a vast city built during the height of the Khmer Empire, showcasing remarkable religious and cultural landmarks

Etymology: The name of the famous Cambodian temple complex is, at root, just the word for "city." Khmer "angkor" comes from Sanskrit "nagara," meaning city, and the Khmer form kept the sense of a capital city. The Sanskrit word also gave English "nagari," a writing system used across parts of India, and "negara," a term from Malay and Indonesian, so these words are doublets: different forms of one ancestor that reached different languages. Angkor was the seat of the Khmer empire for centuries, and the word for the capital came to name the place itself. Visitors today often hear it used for the whole archaeological park around Siem Reap, though the original term referred to the urban centre of a royal city.

Synonyms: Angkor Wat, Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom