Atlantic etymology

Etymology

The word "Atlantic" derives from the Greek mythology character Atlas, a Titan who was condemned to hold up the heavens for eternity.

Meaning

The Atlantic refers to:

• Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest ocean in the world, separating Europe, Africa, and America. It is named after the Greek Titan Atlas, who was said to hold up the heavens at the western edge of the world.
• Atlantic Region: A geopolitical area comprising countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, such as Senegal, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and the United States.

Origin

The name "Atlantic" first appeared in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC). He described the Atlantic as a vast sea beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Strait of Gibraltar).

The name was later popularized by the Roman writer Pliny the Elder (1st century AD) in his encyclopedic work "Natural History." Pliny referred to the "Atlanticum Mare" (Atlantic Sea) as the ocean that washed the western shores of Europe and Africa.

Over time, the name "Atlantic" became universally accepted for the ocean and the geographical regions associated with it.

Atlantic relate terms

• atlas

  Etymology The word atlas derives from Greek mythology specifically the Titan Atlas M

• mid Atlantic

  Etymology The term Mid Atlantic is a compound of three words Mid Meaning in the m

• Atlantic

  Etymology The word Atlantic derives from the Greek mythology character Atlas a Titan w

• trans Atlantic

  Etymology The word transatlantic is derived from two Latin words trans meaning a

• trans

  Etymology The word trans originates from the Latin prefix trans which means across

• Atlantic

  Etymology The word Atlantic derives from the Greek mythology character Atlas a Titan w

• cable

  Etymology The word cable derives from the Latin word capulum which means halter

• sargasso

  Etymology Sargasso is derived from the Portuguese word sargaço meaning seaweed M

• involve

  Etymology The study of the origin and history of words Meaning The intended or implied

• ethnology

  Etymology ethnos Greek nation people tribe logy Greek study of Meaning E

• maritime

  Etymology The word maritime is derived from the Latin word maritimus which means b

• Greenland

  Etymology The name Greenland is derived from the Old Norse word Grønland which lit

• Bermuda

  Etymology The origin of the name Bermuda is uncertain but there are two main theories

• Sheraton

  Etymology Sheraton is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Sirideáin which me