Albion is a poetical personification for Britain. It was first used in classical literature in the 6th cent. bc and referred either to the Celtic name or to the white cliffs of Dover. Camden mentions that it had been related to Albion, son of Neptune. The phrase ‘perfidious Albion’ has been attributed to the marquis de Ximenes (1726–1817), though Bossuet in the 17th cent. had mentioned ‘L'Angleterre perfide’. It was soon superseded by Britannia.

J. A. Cannon

Albion a poetic or literary term for Britain or England (often used in referring to ancient or historical times). Recorded in Old English, the word comes from Latin and is probably of Celtic origin; ultimately related to Latin albus ‘white’, in allusion to the white cliffs of Dover.

Albion Britain. OE. Albion — L. Albiōn, Gr. Alouíōn — Celtic *Albio, -on-; usu. referred to *albho- (L. albus) white, the allusion being to the white cliffs of Britain (cf. ALPS).

albion French;
1. fish soup made with lobster quenelles and truffles;

2. chicken broth with truffles, asparagus, chicken liver quenelles, and cocks' combs.