noun
(1) A parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
Etymology
Anglo-Norman
Espayne, from Late Latin
Spania, from earlier Latin
Hispania, from Greek
Spania (Ἱσπανια), from Phoenician
i-shaphanim, literally 'hyrax isle', as the native wild rabbits were mistaken for hyraxes.
Proper noun
Spain
- Country in Europe. Member state of the European Union. Official name: Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España).
See also