La Désirade

French

Etymology

Calque of Spanish La Deseada, derived from the feminine participle of desear (“desire, wish for”). Coined by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, allegedly because the island was the first land seen by Columbus and his crew after leaving the Canary Islands.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /la de.zi.ʁad/
• Hyphenation: La Dé‧si‧rade
• Rhymes: -ad

Proper noun

La Désirade f

1. An island, commune, and dependency of Guadeloupe, France.

Derived terms

• Désiradien, Désiradienne