Switzerland
[swit-ser-luh nd]
- a republic in central Europe. 15,944 sq. mi. (41,294 sq. km). Capital: Bern.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for switzerland
Contemporary Examples
Andrew still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, representing the British government.
After reading The Game in 2007, he says, he started going out in Switzerland and practicing RSD methods.
“In almost all rural areas of Switzerland, it is customary to eat cats and dogs,” she says.
Yes, animal rights activists are trying to ban the eating of cats and dogs in Switzerland.
Her mother Ursula is from Switzerland, and her father Sayed is from Pakistan.
Historical Examples
This romantic region has been proudly termed the Switzerland of Canada.
The Hunted OutlawAnonymous
I asked my mother to go with me, but she went to Switzerland with my youngest sister.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
I divided the remainder of the summer and autumn between Switzerland and Italy.
The Room in the Dragon VolantJ. Sheridan LeFanu
The time arrived when I had to leave England for Switzerland.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
I had unawares added to her grief, for her brother Charley was going to Switzerland too.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
Switzerland
- a federal republic in W central Europe: the cantons of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden formed a defensive league against the Hapsburgs in 1291, later joined by other cantons; gained independence in 1499; adopted a policy of permanent neutrality from 1516; a leading centre of the Reformation in the 16th century. It lies in the Jura Mountains and the Alps, with a plateau between the two ranges. Official languages: German, French, and Italian; Romansch minority. Religion: mostly Protestant and Roman Catholic. Currency: Swiss franc. Capital: Bern. Pop: 7 996 026 (2013 est). Area: 41 288 sq km (15 941 sq miles)German name: Schweiz French name: Suisse Italian name: Svizzera Latin name: Helvetia (hɛlˈviːʃə)
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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
Word Origin and History for switzerland
Switzerland
named for Schwyz, one of its original cantons. On postage stamps, etc., identified by the Roman name for the region, Helvetia, to avoid having to print the four different forms of the name in the country’s four official languages: Suisse, Schweiz, Svizzera, Svizra.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Switzerland
Note
Known for its strict neutrality, Switzerland maintained armed neutrality in both World War I and World War II.
Note
Swiss banks allow depositors to be identified by a number known only to the depositor and a few bank officials; private fortunes can therefore be kept secret.
Note
It is famous for its watchmaking industry and its milk chocolate.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.