Bretagne

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A region in the northwest of France known for its distinct culture and history, characterized by rugged coastline and Celtic heritage
2. A historical province of France that includes the modern regions of Brittany, with a rich tradition of folklore and regional languages
3. A geographical area in France famous for its maritime activities, traditional music, and unique cuisine influenced by both French and Celtic elements

Etymology: Brittany takes its name from the Britons, not from any French tribe. In the fifth and sixth centuries, Celtic-speaking people from Britain (Dumnonians, Cornish and Welsh ancestors) crossed the Channel in large numbers, fleeing Anglo-Saxon expansion and the disruption that followed Roman withdrawal. They settled the peninsula, and the area became known in Latin as "Britannia Minor" or "Armorica" from its earlier name, with "Brittania" in the sense of the new Britain. The French form "Bretagne" descends from Latin "Britannia" through Old French, the same root that gives English "Britain." Two places bearing one name, separated by the sea, reflect the migration that carried a language and a people across the water. The Breton language, still spoken today, is a close relative of Welsh and Cornish rather than of French.

Synonyms: Brittany