Argentine
UK: ˈɑːdʒəntaɪn | US: ˈɑːrdʒəntiːn
adj. relating to or characteristic of Argentina (the country) or its people
n. a native or inhabitant of Argentina
n. (archaic) silver or silvery substance
argentine = argent<silver> + ine<adjective suffix>
- argent: From Latin argentum (silver), reflecting the metal’s historical association with wealth and currency.
- ine: A suffix forming adjectives (e.g., "divine," "marine"), derived from Latin -inus.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin argentum (silver), as early European explorers believed the Río de la Plata ("River of Silver") region (now Argentina) was rich in silver. Over time, argentine evolved from describing silvery qualities to denoting the country and its people. The archaic use for "silvery" persists in poetic or scientific contexts (e.g., "argentine luster").
The Argentine tango is renowned for its passion and precision.
She is an Argentine who moved to Spain for work.
The mineral had an argentine sheen under the light.
Argentine beef is exported worldwide for its high quality.
His research focused on Argentine economic policies.