The spelling of the word "Canterbury" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /ˈkæntərbɛri/, with the stress on the second syllable (/ˈkæn/). The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as a short "a" sound (/æ/). The "t" in the second syllable is pronounced as a strong "t" sound (/t/) followed by a soft "ə" sound (/ə/). The third syllable contains a long "e" sound (/ɛ/) and the final syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound (/i/).
Canterbury is a noun that refers to a city located in the county of Kent in southeastern England. It holds great historical and cultural significance, particularly as the site of the Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most renowned Christian structures in the country. The city is situated on the River Stour and has been a place of religious pilgrimage for centuries.
The term "Canterbury" can also denote the Church of England diocese with its seat in the city. It encompasses much of the county, including the areas of Kent, Medway, and the London Borough of Bexley. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who serves as the primate of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, resides in the city, making it a central hub of religious authority and hierarchy.
Furthermore, "Canterbury" can describe the famous Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories penned by Geoffrey Chaucer during the 14th century. These tales take place within the context of a pilgrimage from London to the shrine of Thomas Becket, the former archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in the cathedral in 1170. Chaucer's work is recognized as a seminal contribution to English literature and provides insights into medieval society, culture, and religious practices.
Overall, "Canterbury" encompasses a city, a diocese, and iconic literary works, all of which hold substantial historical, religious, and cultural importance.
A stand or receptacle for music, & c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Canterbury" has its origins in Old English, specifically from the Old English name for the city: "Cantuariġ". This Old English name was derived from the earlier Latin name for Canterbury, which was "Durovernum Cantiacorum". The Latin name "Durovernum" roughly translates to "stronghold on the River". "Cantiacorum" refers to the people who lived in the area, known as the Cantii, a Celtic tribe inhabiting the region at the time. Over time, the Old English name "Cantuariġ" evolved into "Canterbury", which has been used to refer to the city since.