Bombay

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A major city in India known for its economic significance and diverse culture
2. The capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra, often referred to as Mumbai
3. A bustling metropolis famed for its Bollywood film industry and historical landmarks

Etymology: The name Bombay comes from Portuguese "Bombaim," which the Portuguese used when they took control of the islands and fishing villages on India's west coast. Its origin is debated, and the two leading explanations are both plausible. One traces it to "mumbādevī," the name of a goddess Mumba, worshipped by the Marathi-speaking fishing communities of the area, whose name is also the source of the modern name Mumbai. The other splits the Portuguese word into "bom," meaning "good," and "baim" or "baía," meaning "bay," giving something like "good bay" or "good harbour," which would fit the sheltered natural harbour the city sits beside. Most scholars consider a blend of the two most likely, with the Portuguese speakers reshaping a local name into a form that sounded like a description of their own harbour. The Portuguese spelling later reached English, where it became "Bombay," the name used for the city for centuries before its official change to Mumbai in 1995.