ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cambridge

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //ˈkeɪmbɹɪdʒ// cam·bridge

n. a famous city in England known for its very old and high-quality university. It is also the name of a city in Massachusetts, USA, where Harvard University is located.

n. a historic city in eastern England, serving as the administrative centre of Cambridgeshire and home to the University of Cambridge. Also refers to a city in the United States, situated in the Greater Boston area.


SIMPLE

She is studying history at Cambridge this year.

CONTEXTUAL

Many tourists visit Cambridge every summer to go punting on the river and see the college buildings.

COMPLEX

The architectural landscape of Cambridge is defined by its medieval colleges, which have fostered centuries of academic excellence and scientific breakthroughs.

Origin

From Middle English Cantebrigge, Grentebrige, from Old English Grante bryċġ, Granta-briċġ, Grantanbryċġ (“Granta bridge”). The river name Granta is probably of Celtic origin. By Middle English when the name of the settlement had changed to "Cantebrigge" and eventually "Cambridge", the lower stretches of the River Granta were renamed Cam by back-formation from Cambridge.

Usage

Typically used as a proper noun without an article; when used as a modifier, it precedes the noun as in 'Cambridge students'.

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