The word "highlander" is generally spelled with eight letters and pronounced /ˈhaɪ.lən.dər/. The first sound /h/ is a voiceless glottal fricative, whereas the second syllable /ai/ is made up of the diphthong /aɪ/ which represents a combination of two vowel sounds. The letter combination /lən/ is pronounced using the /ə/ and /n/ sounds. Finally, the ending of the word /dər/ is pronounced using the phonemes /d/ and /ər/. Overall, the spelling of "highlander" is fairly straightforward, with the exception of the diphthong in the middle of the word.
Highlander refers to a noun that denotes a person who is native to or hails from the Scottish Highlands, a mountainous region situated in the northern part of Scotland. The term "Highlander" is formed by combining the words "high" and "lander," where "high" signifies the mountainous or elevated geography of the highlands, and "lander" implies an inhabitant or a person connected to a specific place. Therefore, a Highlander is someone who resides or has ancestry in the Scottish Highlands.
The term "Highlander" often carries a cultural connotation, as the Scottish Highlands has a distinct and rich culture that includes traditional music, art, folklore, and a notable Scots Gaelic-speaking community. Historically, Highlanders were known for their clan-based society, where loyalty to one's kin and chief was highly valued. Additionally, the Highlander often conjures up an image of men clad in tartan kilts, playing the bagpipes, and participating in traditional Highland games such as caber tossing, hammer throwing, and tug-of-war.
The word "Highlander" can also be applied in a broader sense beyond Scotland, referring to a person who comes from any highland or mountainous region worldwide. While the primary use of the term pertains to individuals associated with the Scottish Highlands, it can also encompass other regions renowned for their high altitudes and distinct cultures or peoples.
One who is a native of the Highlands of Scotland, or of any mountainous district of a country.
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 "highlander" originated from the combination of two terms: "highland" and "-er".
"Highland" derives from the Middle English word "hyghland", composed of "hygh" or "high", meaning elevated or tall, and "land", referring to a piece of territory or a region. This term was initially used to describe mountainous or elevated regions, specifically referring to the Scottish Highlands.
The suffix "-er" is commonly added to create an agent noun, signifying a person or thing associated with the word root. In this case, "-er" is appended to "highland" to create "highlander", meaning a person from the highlands or someone who dwells in a highland region.
Therefore, the etymology of the word "highlander" refers to a person originating from the Scottish Highlands or someone associated with that geographical area.