Montmartre

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historic district in Paris, famous for its artistic history and vibrant bohemian culture
2. A notable hill in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, renowned for its basilica and panoramic views of the city
3. An area in Paris celebrated for its connections to artists and musicians, offering a lively atmosphere and historic charm

Etymology: Montmartre takes its name from a hill in northern Paris, and the name itself is older than the district's fame. The hill's name is generally traced to Latin "Mons Martyrum," meaning "hill of martyrs," a reference to the tradition that Saint Denis and his companions were executed there in the third century. The name then passed into French as Montmartre, the word the English language later borrowed. The English use of the name is a figurative extension rather than a literal one. The district on the hill became famous in the late nineteenth century as a home for painters, writers, cabaret performers and other artists living cheaply on its slopes, so the place-name came to stand for an entire bohemian lifestyle. Speakers now use it as a shorthand for that atmosphere wherever it appears, whether or not the hill is anywhere nearby.