Cyprus

:See also Cypress (a common misspelling) for other meanings.

Name and position

The name Cyprus has a somewhat uncertain etymology. One possible suggestion is that it comes from the Greek word "?????????? (kypa'rissos)" meaning "cypress tree"; however, it seems more likely to stem from some non-Indo-European word for copper, most probably from the Sumerian "kabar" (copper), due to the large deposits of copper ore found on the island. Through overseas trade, the island has already given its name to the Classical Latin word for the metal, which appears in the phrase aes Cyprium , "metal of Cyprus", later shortened to cuprum. From there the word passed into European languages as "copper" in the English language, "cuivre" in French, "Kupfer" in German and "cobre" in Spanish.

Related Topics:
Cyprus - Etymology - Greek - Cypress - Indo-European - Word - Copper - Sumeria - Classical Latin - Europe - English language - French - German - Spanish

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Cyprus is geographically in Western Asia (or the Near East), though politically and culturally it is considered as being in Europe. Historically, Cyprus has always been a bridgehead between Europe, Asia and Africa, with interchanging periods of Levantine, Anatolian, Greek and British influences.

Related Topics:
Asia - Near East - Africa - Levantine - Anatolian - Greek - British

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