Uruguay

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A country located in southeastern South America, bordered by Brazil to the north and Argentina to the west
2. A nation known for its coastal beauty, vibrant culture, and progressive social policies; it is the second smallest country on the continent
3. A republic in South America distinguished by its beautiful beaches and rich history, with Montevideo as its capital city

Etymology: The name comes from the Guaraní language of the region, where "Uruguaĭ" combined "uruguâ," a water snail, with "ĭ," meaning river. The river was named for the snails that lived in its waters, so the country's name is, at its root, "river of snails." Spanish speakers borrowed the name as "Uruguay," and English took it from Spanish. The word's journey shows how a local river name grew into a nation's name. A river and its shellfish gave a region its identity, and colonial and later national usage carried that name to the whole territory. Nothing about the modern country's coastline or politics is contained in the word itself; it is a record of the water that first gave the place a name.

Synonyms: Oriental Republic of Uruguay