England

/ˈɪŋɡlənd/ proper noun

Definition

A country that is part of the United Kingdom, located on the island of Great Britain in Europe. Its capital city is London.

Etymology

From Old English *Engla land* meaning 'land of the Angles.' The Angles were a Germanic tribe that settled there in the early Middle Ages. Over time, the phrase blended into the single name *England*.

Kelly Says

England is literally 'Angle-land,' named after one of several tribes that moved there—yet that one tribe’s name ended up branding the whole country and language. English itself is 'the language of the Angles,' a tribal accent that went global.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Discussions of England’s history often foreground male political and military leaders while minimizing women’s roles in science, industry, and social movements. Colonial narratives from England have also imposed gender norms on other societies.

Inclusive Usage

When referring to England’s history or society, include women and gender-diverse people in accounts of politics, labor, and culture, not only as exceptions.

Empowerment Note

Acknowledge English women’s contributions to suffrage, labor organizing, science, and literature, and the work of feminists and activists challenging imposed gender norms in and beyond England.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.