Bileez

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Belizean Creole

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Bileez

Etymology

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Borrowed from Spanish Belice (attested since 1677) as the name of the Belize River, sometimes said to be from Mayan/Mopan Maya beliz (muddy water(s)),[1] although there is no evidence for such a word. The old suggestion that it could be from a corrupted Spanish pronunciation of the surname of Scottish buccaneer Peter Wallace (via pronunciation as *Valis, then *Balise), is now generally considered to be folk etymology; the popularity of the legend persists.

Proper noun

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Bileez

  1. Belize (a country in Central America)

Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ Twigg, Alan (2006) Understanding Belize: A Historical Guide, Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing, →ISBN, pages 9–10, 38–45