Argentine etymology

Origin and Etymology

The name "Argentina" originated from the Latin word "argentum," meaning "silver." The choice of this name is attributed to a misunderstanding by early Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

Meaning

The name "Argentina" translates literally to "Land of Silver." This reflects the initial belief of the Spanish that the region was rich in silver deposits.

Historical Context

During the first Spanish voyages to the region, the explorers encountered a local Native American chieftain who wore silver ornaments. They mistakenly interpreted this as an indication of abundant silver in the land and named it accordingly.

However, despite the name, Argentina does not have significant silver deposits. The misunderstanding likely arose from the fact that the chieftain's ornaments were actually made of a white metal alloy known as alpaca, which resembles silver.

Argentine relate terms

  • Argentina

    Etymology The name Argentina is derived from the Latin word argentum meaning silver

  • plate

    Etymology The word plate comes from the Old French word plate which is derived from

  • argent

    Etymology The word argent comes from the Latin word argentum which means silver

  • Argentina

    Etymology The name Argentina is derived from the Latin word argentum meaning silver

  • Argentine

    Origin and Etymology The name Argentina originated from the Latin word argentum mean

  • Argo

    Etymology Greek ἀργός argos meaning bright white or shining Meaning

  • argue

    Etymology The word argue derives from the Old French word arguer which in turn origi

  • Argus

    Etymology The word Argus has its roots in the Greek language ἀργός argos b

  • hydrargyrum

    Etymology The word hydrargyrum is derived from the Greek words hydr meaning wate

  • litharge

    Etymology Middle English lytarge from Old French litarge Old French litarge from L

  • tangerine

    Etymology From Old French tangerine derived from Spanish naranja tangerina Tange

  • vignette

    Etymology The word vignette comes from the French word vigne meaning vine or vine

  • Logos

    Etymology The word logos comes from the Ancient Greek word λόγος lógos meani

  • window

    Etymology Old English windōge from Proto Germanic windaugaz derived from wi

  • boondoggle

    Origin and Etymology of Boondoggle The term boondoggle is believed to have originated

  • forlorn

    Etymology From Middle English forlorn from Old English forloren past participle of fo

  • tabernacle

    Etymology The word tabernacle comes from the Latin word tabernaculum which means t

  • chaos

    Etymology Greek χάος khaos meaning yawning void abyss or gap Meaning

  • comedy

    Etymology The word comedy comes from the Greek word κωμῳδία kōmōidía wh