Holland

views updated May 17 2018

Holland Popular name for the Netherlands, but properly referring only to a historic region, now divided into two provinces. A fief of the Holy Roman Empire in the 12th century, Holland united with the county of Hainaut in 1299. It passed to Burgundy in 1433 and to the Habsburgs in 1482. In the 16th century, Holland led the Netherlands in their long struggle for independence from Spain.

World Encyclopedia

holland

views updated May 23 2018

hol·land / ˈhälənd/ • n. a kind of smooth, durable linen fabric, used chiefly for window shades and furniture covering.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

holland

views updated May 21 2018

holland linen fabric orig. named holland cloth from Holland, a province of the Netherlands, its place of manufacture. XV.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

HOLLAND

views updated May 11 2018

HOLLAND hope our love lasts (or lives) and never dies

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH