Pantanal

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A vast tropical wetland in Brazil known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem
2. This expansive floodplain in South America features diverse wildlife and intricate waterways
3. A significant ecological region characterized by seasonal flooding and abundant flora and fauna

Etymology: The Pantanal is the vast seasonal wetland of central South America, spreading across western Brazil and into Bolivia and Paraguay. Its name comes from Portuguese, where "pantanal" describes a marshy, swampy tract of land, and the word was carried into the neighbouring Spanish-speaking countries, probably through Spanish, as the region's name spread there. The Portuguese word itself is built from older material: it is generally derived from "pântano", meaning "marsh" or "swamp", which is itself tied to the idea of wet, boggy ground. In other words, the name is a plain description of the landscape, one that Portuguese speakers would have recognised immediately from the seasonal flooding that transforms the region each year.