eden
n. C / Un. a place or situation that is perfect, beautiful, and peaceful. It comes from the name of the garden in the Bible where the first people lived.
n. a place or state of pristine happiness and innocence; a paradise. Often used metaphorically to describe an unspoiled natural environment or a period of perfect harmony.
The tropical island felt like a true Eden.
After years of living in the crowded city, they found their own little Eden in the quiet countryside.
The poet describes the valley as a lost Eden, untouched by the industrial expansion that had already transformed the surrounding regions into grey, mechanical landscapes.
From Biblical Hebrew עֵדֶן (ʿḗḏen), perhaps from Sumerian 𒂔 (edin, “steppe, garden”).
* The river in Cumbria is from the Roman name, British Latin Ituna. The rivers in Scotland are also related to the root of this name. The river in Kent is back-formed from Edenbridge, from Old English Eadhelmesbrycg (“Eadhelm's bridge”) (attested as Eadelmesbregge c. 1100).
When referring to the biblical garden, it is a proper noun and capitalized; in general metaphorical use, it may be treated as a common noun.