Dulles

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A surname of a notable American family, most famously associated with a former Secretary of State and his brother, a prominent CIA director
2. Referring to the Washington Dulles International Airport, which serves the capital region of the United States
3. The designation of a geographical area influenced by the policies of individuals bearing this name, particularly in relation to Cold War events

Etymology: "Dulles" is the plural of "Dulle," a word borrowed from North German, where "Dulle" is a variant of "Dull." The plural form therefore reaches English through a regional German spelling rather than an English tradition, and the link to "Dull" is the clearest trail back to its earlier meaning. In its current sense, the name denotes an area shaped by the policies of people who bore this surname, most notably in the context of Cold War events. The sense depends entirely on those people, so the original North German "Dulle" tells us little about the modern usage. The two layers of meaning come from different places, with the surname supplying the political association and the German root supplying the form.