Honda

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A well-known Japanese automobile manufacturer specializing in vehicles and motorcycles that emphasizes innovation and reliability
2. A brand recognized for producing a wide range of automobiles and power equipment, known for its engineering excellence
3. An automotive company famous for its diverse lineup of cars and outstanding performance in motorsports

Etymology: Honda, the Japanese carmaker, takes its name from its founder, Soichiro Honda, whose surname is a family name, not a word coined for the company. The surname itself is the part that carries history, and the source's etymology concerns the Spanish word "honda" and its possible origins, which are a separate matter from the Japanese surname. Readers should know that the two are not linked: the company's name is a personal name in Japan, and the Spanish etymology belongs to a different word of the same spelling. The Spanish "honda" is probably from "fonda," meaning a sling, which derives from Latin "funda," a hand-sling. Alternatively, it may come from "hondón," meaning the eye of a needle, based on "hondo," meaning deep, from Latin "fundus," meaning bottom. In that case the word would describe a hollow or a depth rather than a weapon.

Synonyms: loop, noose, ring