Chile etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The name "Chile" most likely derives from the Mapuche word "Tchili", which means "extreme cold" or "the place where the land ends".

Origin

The origins of the name "Chile" are complex and contested:

• Mapuche Influence: The Mapuche people, who inhabited the region before European arrival, called the southernmost territory they occupied "Tchili". This name referred to the cold, mountainous terrain and the area's geographical isolation.
• Spanish Corruption: When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, they misinterpreted "Tchili" as "Chile". This was likely due to the similarity in pronunciation and the fact that "chile" means "pepper" in Spanish.
• Other Theories: Some scholars believe that the name may have come from an Inca word for "gold" or from a Quechua word for "snow". However, these theories are less widely accepted.

Over time, the name "Chile" became associated with the entire country, which gained independence from Spain in 1818. Today, "Chile" remains the official name of the Republic of Chile.

Chile relate terms

• chili

  Etymology The word chili comes from the Nahuatl Aztec word chilli which refers to

• enchilada

  Etymology Spanish enchilada From Spanish enchilar meaning to season with chili Ul

• rascal

  Etymology Old French rascaille meaning rabble riffraff Vulgar Latin rascalis mean

• sedan

  Etymology The word sedan has its origins in the Italian city of Sedan located in the

• Patagonia

  Etymology The name Patagonia comes from the Spanish word patagón which in turn is

• pepper

  Etymology The word pepper comes from the Middle English word pepre which in turn com

• Exodus

  Etymology The word Exodus is derived from the Greek exodos which means going out

• hearse

  Etymology The word hearse originates from the Middle English word herse which itsel

• cosmos

  Etymology The word cosmos comes from the Greek word kosmos which means order or u

• mantle

  Etymology The word mantle derives from the Middle English term mantel which origina