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Esperanto

[ es-puh-rahn-toh, -ran- ]
/ ˌɛs pəˈrɑn toʊ, -ˈræn- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR Esperanto

noun

an artificial language invented in 1887 by L. L. Zamenhof (1859–1917), a Polish physician and philologist, and intended for international use. It is based on word roots common to the major European languages.

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Origin of Esperanto

1890–95; originally pseudonym of inventor; literally, the hoping one. See esperance

OTHER WORDS FROM Esperanto

Es·pe·ran·tism, nounEs·pe·ran·tist, noun

Words nearby Esperanto

esparto, espec., especial, especially, esperance, Esperanto, espial, espionage, Espírito Santo, Espíritu Santo, esplanade
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for Esperanto

British Dictionary definitions for Esperanto

Esperanto
/ (ˌɛspəˈræntəʊ) /

noun

an international artificial language based on words common to the chief European languages, invented in 1887

Derived forms of Esperanto

Esperantist, noun, adjective

Word Origin for Esperanto

C19: literally: the one who hopes, pseudonym of Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, who invented it
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012