Roseville

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A city located in California known for its suburban living and community parks
2. A place famous for its retail centers and historic sites in the Sacramento metropolitan area
3. A city characterized by its family-friendly atmosphere and outdoor recreational opportunities

Etymology: Roseville is a proper noun, the name of a city in California, and its history lies in the second half of the name rather than the first. The "-ville" ending comes from French "ville", meaning "town", which passed into English in the sense of a town or village. English speakers used it as a productive suffix for naming places, as in Louisville or Nashville, so a name ending in "-ville" tells you the place was founded as a town. The first half is less certain. The name may come from "rose", the flower, or from a personal name "Rose" that was attached to the settlement. Both explanations are plausible, and the record does not settle which one the founders had in mind. Either way, the name combines a common English word or name with the French-derived suffix that American town-builders favoured.