Auvergne

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A region in central France known for its volcanic terrain and picturesque landscapes
2. A historical area celebrated for its natural beauty, including mountains and lakes, as well as its cultural heritage
3. An area in France recognized for its distinct geographical features, traditional cuisine, and rich history

Etymology: The name of the central French region of Auvergne traces back to a Gaulish people, the Arverni, whose name was recorded by the Romans as "Arvernus." Their territory became the Roman province Arvernia, and Medieval Latin "Arvernia" passed into Old French as "Alvergne." English took the name in its medieval form, "Alverne," which survived for centuries before being remodelled to match the French spelling and pronunciation. That remodelling is the surprising part. The English form was once "Alverne," and the modern "Auvergne" is a later refashioning after French, so an English speaker today says a version that has been reshaped to sound French. The word is a doublet of "Arvernia," meaning the two forms share a root but reached English by different routes.

Synonyms: Auvergne