paris
paris — noun
1. Sitting on the Seine River in northern France, Paris is the nation's capital and
Sitting on the Seine River in northern France, Paris is the nation's capital and its largest city, known worldwide as a hub for art, fashion, and culture.
Lucía has always dreamed of visiting Paris to see the Eiffel Tower up close.
proper noun as destination with 'visit'
Camille's family moved to Paris when she was twelve years old.
The high-speed train from Lyon to Paris takes about two hours.
'from [city] to Paris' travel pattern
Pedro booked a hotel room near the Louvre during his spring break in Paris.
Usage Note
As a proper noun, Paris does not take an article unless it is modified (e.g., 'the Paris of the 1920s'). 'Paris' is treated as singular.
Common Mistakes
2. a city in northeastern Texas, United States, known for its annual rodeo and as t
a city in northeastern Texas, United States, known for its annual rodeo and as the county seat of Lamar County.
Vikram stopped for lunch at a small diner in Paris, Texas.
proper noun + state specifier to disambiguate
Every summer, Paris, Texas hosts a popular outdoor music festival near the town square.
Bao stopped at a gas station in Paris, Texas and asked for directions to the rodeo.
The old courthouse in Paris, Texas was built in 1916 and still stands downtown.
Usage Note
Speakers usually add 'Texas' ('Paris, Texas') to avoid confusion with the French capital. In context where the country is clear, 'Paris' alone may still be understood.
3. Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259), an English Benedictine monk, chronicler, and illus
Matthew Paris (c. 1200–1259), an English Benedictine monk, chronicler, and illustrator known for his detailed histories of medieval England, especially the Chronica Majora.
For her medieval history class, Trang read Matthew Paris's chronicles of thirteenth-century England.
possessive: Matthew Paris's + chronicles/writings
Historians value Matthew Paris's detailed drawings of thirteenth-century English castles.
Karim wrote his thesis on Matthew Paris's illustrations of the Magna Carta.
proper name as historical source reference
Hannah compared Matthew Paris's maps of Britain to modern ones for her geography project.
Usage Note
The full name 'Matthew Paris' or the surname 'Paris' is used in academic contexts. Referring to him simply as 'Paris' without the historical context may cause confusion with the city.
Etymology
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined above