Marseilles

• Marseille

From French Marseille, from Latin Massilia, Marsilia, from Ancient Greek Μασσαλία (Massalía), probably from a pre-Latin language of Italy, perhaps Ancient Ligurian mas (“spring”). The r was probably retained from Arabic مَرْسَى‎ (marsā, “harbor”).

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “where did the English -s come from?”)

• IPA^(key): /mɑː(ɹ)ˈseɪ/, (dated) /mɑː(ɹ)ˈseɪlz/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪ, -eɪlz

Marseilles

1. The capital city of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, France; capital city of the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

• Massiliote
• Marseillaise

Marseilles (uncountable)

1. A kind of fabric made from two series of threads interlacing each other, thus forming a double cloth, quilted in the loom.