Palmyra

[ pal-mahy-ruh ]

noun

1. an ancient city in central Syria, NE of Damascus: reputedly built by Solomon.

palmyra

¹

/ pælˈmaɪrə /

noun

1. a tall tropical Asian palm, Borassus flabellifer, with large fan-shaped leaves used for thatching and weaving; grown also for its edible seedlings

Palmyra

²

/ pælˈmaɪrə /

noun

1. an ancient city in central Syria: said to have been built by Solomon Biblical nameTadmor
2. an island in the central Pacific, in the Line Islands: under US administration

Word History and Origins

Origin of Palmyra¹

C17: from Portuguese palmeira palm tree (see palm ²); perhaps influenced by Palmyra , city in Syria

Example Sentences

“Palmyra, Krac des Chevaliers, Afamia, the Umayyad Mosque—I took them everywhere,” he said, speaking to me in English.

From The Daily Beast

Though he knew it was risky he determined to stop and find out where he was and to inquire the shortest way to Palmyra.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Humphrey had arrived in Palmyra the evening before the execution, not knowing her husband was to die.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon reaching Palmyra he rode with all haste to the fair grounds where he had left Bruno.

From Project Gutenberg

When Aurelian consulted the god of Palmyra (still in spite of Baltus), the god said that the doves fear the falcon.

From Project Gutenberg

As another instance of the permanency of place-names, the city of Palmyra is curiously notable.

From Project Gutenberg