Europe

[yoo r-uh p, yur- for 1; yoo-roh-pee, yuh- for 2] /ˈyʊər əp, ˈyɜr- for 1; yʊˈroʊ pi, yə- for 2/
noun
1.
a continent in the W part of the landmass lying between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains on the E and the Caucasus Mountains and the Black and Caspian seas on the SE. In British usage, Europe sometimes contrasts with England. About 4,017,000 sq. mi. (10,404,000 sq. km).
2.
Classical Mythology, Europa (def 1).
Related forms
anti-Europe, adjective
Examples from the web for Europe
  • However, the kingdom would never overcome its geographic isolation from Europe.
  • During the eleventh century, a new wave of religiosity swept through Europe.
  • He wrote articles on other authors while at home and in Europe.
  • The use of the composite bow from chariots is not attested in northern Europe.
  • They are supposed to have triggered the great german migrations into western Europe.
  • For the next few years there was peace, with the danes being kept busy in Europe.
  • This is a considerable double mark to have left on the history of Europe.
  • As a result, members were forced underground and dispersed across northwestern Europe.
  • The goldsmith and watchmaking vocational school is the only school of its kind in Europe.
  • But the scribal abbreviations did not apply to the vernacular languages of Europe.
British Dictionary definitions for Europe

Europe

/ˈjʊərəp/
noun
1.
the second smallest continent, forming the W extension of Eurasia: the border with Asia runs from the Urals to the Caspian and the Black Sea. The coastline is generally extremely indented and there are several peninsulas (notably Scandinavia, Italy, and Iberia) and offshore islands (including the British Isles and Iceland). It contains a series of great mountain systems in the south (Pyrenees, Alps, Apennines, Carpathians, Caucasus), a large central plain, and a N region of lakes and mountains in Scandinavia. Pop: 724 722 000 (2005 est). Area: about 10 400 000 sq km (4 000 000 sq miles)
2.
(Brit) the continent of Europe except for the British Isles: we're going to Europe for our holiday
3.
(Brit) the European Union: when did Britain go into Europe?
4.
a type of dinghy, designed to be sailed by one person
Word Origin and History for Europe

from Latin Europa "Europe," from Greek Europe, of uncertain origin; as a geographic name, first the Homeric hymn to Apollo (522 B.C.E. or earlier):

"Telphusa, here I am minded to make a glorious temple, an oracle for men, and hither they will always bring perfect hecatombs, both those who live in rich Peloponnesus and those of Europe and all the wave-washed isles, coming to seek oracles."
Often explained as "broad face," from eurys "wide" (see aneurysm) + ops "face." But also traditionally linked with Europa, Phoenician princess in Greek mythology. Klein (citing Heinrich Lewy) suggests a possible Semitic origin in Akkad. erebu "to go down, set" (in reference to the sun) which would parallel orient. Another suggestion along those lines is Phoenician 'ereb "evening," hence "west."

Europe in Culture

Europe definition


Continent that is actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia.