Boston

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A major city in Massachusetts known for its rich history and cultural significance
2. An influential urban center in the northeastern United States, recognized for its education and innovation
3. The capital of Massachusetts, famous for its historic sites and vibrant economy

Etymology: The city takes its name from Boston in Lincolnshire, England, the home town of several prominent Puritan colonists, including John Cotton, whose former parish church there gave the American city its namesake. The English town's name is often explained as a contraction of "Botolph's town" or "Botolph's stone," with Botolph being a saint whose name comes from the Old English "Botwulf," built from "boda" (messenger or herald) and "wulf" (wolf). That explanation is uncertain, so it is best treated as a plausible guess rather than settled fact. The transfer of a name from one side of the Atlantic to the other was a common colonial habit, and the American town kept the English one almost unchanged. The word's modern prestige for universities and innovation rests on the city's later history rather than on anything in the name itself.

Synonyms: Beantown