ENGLISH
REFERENCE

orleans

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɔɹɫiənz// or·leans

n. a historic city in north-central France, located on the Loire River. It is famous for its connection to Joan of Arc, who saved the city during a war in 1429.

n. a city in north-central France and the capital of the Loiret department. Historically significant as the site of a major siege during the Hundred Years' War, it remains a major administrative and cultural hub.


SIMPLE

We are taking the train from Paris to Orleans tomorrow morning.

CONTEXTUAL

Many tourists visit Orleans every May to watch the festivals celebrating the city's liberation by Joan of Arc.

COMPLEX

As a strategic gateway to the Loire Valley, Orleans has maintained its status as a vital commercial centre since the Roman era, though much of its medieval architecture required post-war restoration.

Origin

From French Orléans, ultimately from Latin Aurelianum, from the name of the Roman emperor Aurelian, who rebuilt the city. More at Aurelius.

Usage

Usually functions as a proper noun; when used in the plural, it typically refers to different historical iterations or families associated with the name.

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