Guadeloupe

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An overseas region and department of France located in the Caribbean, known for its volcanic landscapes and tropical climate; it is an archipelago consisting of several islands including Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre; a popular tourist destination with French cultural influences
2. A group of islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea under French administration, characterized by lush rainforests, beaches, and a blend of European and Creole cultures; it is economically reliant on tourism, agriculture, and services; lies between Dominica and Antigua
3. A French Caribbean territory made up of multiple islands, featuring active volcanoes, diverse ecosystems, and a rich historical heritage; it serves as both a regional and overseas department of France with significant cultural diversity and natural attractions

Etymology: The name began as a religious title. "Santa María de Guadalupe" means Saint Mary of Guadalupe, a title of the Virgin Mary taken from the Spanish town of Guadalupe in Extremadura, where a famous shrine to her stood. When Spanish settlers named this Caribbean archipelago, they carried a devotional place-name across the Atlantic. English received the name through French, which shortened the Spanish original and gave it a French spelling and pronunciation. The Spanish form survives separately as "Guadalupe," a doublet: two words from the same source that entered a language by different routes. The Spanish version keeps the older shape, while the French one has been worn down into its own island name.

Synonyms: French West Indies, Caribbean island