Esperanto

[ es-puh-rahn-toh, -ran- ]
/ ˌɛs pəˈrɑn toʊ, -ˈræn- /

noun

an artificial language invented in 1887 by L. L. Zamenhof (1859–1917), a Polish physician and philologist, and intended for international use. It is based on word roots common to the major European languages.

Origin of Esperanto

1890–95; orig. pseudonym of inventor; literally, the hoping one. See esperance

OTHER WORDS FROM Esperanto

Es·pe·ran·tism, noun Es·pe·ran·tist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for esperanto

British Dictionary definitions for esperanto

Esperanto
/ (ˌɛspəˈræntəʊ) /

noun

an international artificial language based on words common to the chief European languages, invented in 1887

Derived forms of Esperanto

Esperantist, noun, adjective

Word Origin for Esperanto

C19: literally: the one who hopes, pseudonym of Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, who invented it