metropolis
[mi-trop-uh-lis]
- any large, busy city.
- the chief, and sometimes capital, city of a country, state, or region.
- a central or principal place, as of some activity: the music metropolis of France.
- the mother city or parent state of a colony, especially of an ancient Greek colony.
- the chief see of an ecclesiastical province.
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Origin of metropolis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for metropolis
Contemporary Examples
The town of Liqian sits on the edge of the Gobi desert, 200 miles from any metropolis, and 4,500 miles from Rome.
But in New York City, a metropolis with an abundance of concrete and very few fields of grass, a far more subtle display appears.
The 30-something heroine glamorized the metropolis and its coveted name brands, Arora says.
The co-owner of Metropolis Collectables, Vincent has Wolverine mutton chops, a Tony Stark goatee, and Lex Luthor swagger.
All we really know so far is that there will be a football match between Gotham City University and Metropolis State University.
Historical Examples
I'll be city-sick the first thing I know, and then I'll make a break for the metropolis.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
I was now known by name at every public place in and near the metropolis.
Beaux and Belles of EnglandMary Robinson
This Maori town may be considered the metropolis of the Ngatewhatua tribe.
Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2)William Delisle Hay
You and Beatrix will soon be great moral forces in the metropolis.
The Dominant StrainAnna Chapin Ray
From here the first pair of omnibuses in the Metropolis were started on July 4, 1829.
Hampstead and MaryleboneGeraldine Edith Mitton
metropolis
- the main city, esp of a country or region; capital
- a centre of activity
- the chief see in an ecclesiastical province
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Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin from Greek: mother city or state, from mētēr mother + polis city
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for metropolis
n.
"seat of a metropolitan bishop," 1530s, from Late Latin metropolis; see metropolitan. Meaning "chief town or capital city of a province" is first attested 1580s, earlier metropol (late 14c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper