syracuse
n. countablen. a historic city on the island of Sicily in Italy, or a city in the state of New York in the United States. It is famous for its ancient Greek history and architecture.
n. a historic coastal city in Sicily, Italy, founded by ancient Greeks; also a major industrial and educational hub in central New York State. When referring to the Italian city, it often carries connotations of classical antiquity and Archimedes.
We spent three days exploring the ancient ruins in Syracuse.
The university in Syracuse is well-known for its journalism program and its cold, snowy winters.
While the modern city of Syracuse serves as a vital economic center for the region, its historical counterpart was once the most powerful Greek city-state in the Mediterranean.
From French Syracuse, from Latin Syrācūsae, from Ancient Greek Συρᾱ́κουσαι (Surā́kousai) attested from 8th century BC, from a Pre-Greek name, possibly Phoenician 𐤔𐤄𐤓𐤀𐤇 (šhrʾḥ, “to feel ill”) in reference to the ancient port's proximity to a swamp. With modified form of suffix -εις (-eis). As a surname, an anglicized form of Italian Siracusa. Doublet of Siragusa. Compare Sicilian Saragusa.
Usually capitalized as a proper noun; can be used as a countable noun when referring to the different cities sharing the name.