Bermudan

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. Of or relating to the British island territory of Bermuda in the North Atlantic ; a native or inhabitant of that island ; a tall triangular sail set on a single mast
2. Connected with the Atlantic island of Bermuda ; someone born in or living on that island ; a sail shaped like a tall triangle, rising to a point at the top of the mast
3. Describing something from or typical of Bermuda ; a person who comes from that British overseas territory ; a fore-and-aft sail set on a mast in a tall triangular shape

Etymology: Bermudan is one of those words whose meaning comes from a place rather than a history of sound change. It is simply "Bermuda" plus the suffix "-an", meaning "of or relating to", so it describes anything from the Bermuda islands in the Atlantic. The suffix itself travelled a long road before reaching English: it descends from an ancient Italic ending, passed through Latin "-anus", then Old French "-ain", and entered Middle English as "-an". The more interesting part is the word's sense. Bermuda sits in the North Atlantic, far from both Europe and the American mainland, and its culture blends influences from both sides of the ocean. Because of this mix, "Bermudan" is often applied to things that feel somewhat European and somewhat American, though the islands lean more towards the American side. The word thus describes a mixed identity rather than a single tradition.

Synonyms: Bermudian