August 11, 2011
- boulevard (noun)
- \BULL-uh-vahrd\
- What does it mean?
- : a wide avenue often having grass strips with trees along its center or sides
- How do you use it?
- Our hotel room overlooks a leafy boulevard dotted with cafes and shops.
- Are you a word wiz?
Which language do you think "boulevard" comes from?
English speakers borrowed "boulevard" from French. But we can trace its origin back to Middle Dutch, the Dutch language in use from about 1100 to about 1500. "Boulevard" stems from the Middle Dutch term "bolwerc" meaning "bulwark" which is a wall built for defense. Other English words with Dutch origins include "block," "boss," "landscape," "rabbit," "screen," and "ticket."
