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, nounExample 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, adjectiveWord Origin for Esperanto
C19: literally: the one who hopes, pseudonym of Dr. L. L.
Zamenhof, who invented it