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Dictionary Language resources

Esperanto

Pronunciation: /ˌɛspəˈrantəʊ/

Definition of Esperanto

noun

[mass noun]

an artificial language devised in 1887 as an international medium of communication, based on roots from the chief European languages. It retains the structure of these languages and has the advantage of grammatical regularity and ease of pronunciation.

Derivatives

Esperantist

Origin:

late 19th century: from the name Dr Esperanto, used as a pen name by the inventor of the language, Ludwik L. Zamenhof (1858–1917), Polish physician; the literal sense is 'one who hopes' (based on Latin sperare 'to hope')