medina means the traditional, older or non-European area of a North African town.
medina is pronounced /məˈdiːnə/.
Why “medina” is a great word
The historic, often walled, quarter of a city in North Africa or, capitalized, a holy city in Saudi Arabia containing the Prophet's tomb. From Arabic اَلْمَدِينَة (al-madīna, 'the city'). Unlike a 'kasbah,' which is a fortress or citadel within the urban fabric, or a 'metropolis,' which implies a sprawling modern capital, a medina is the entire, ancient labyrinth itself. It is the scent of cumin and warm stone at midday, the sudden cool of a covered alley after sun-blasted openness, the call to prayer folding over itself from multiple minarets—a universe contained within crumbling, ochre walls, where time moves not forward but inward, toward the center where the walls still stand.
Etymology
From Arabic اَلْمَدِينَة (al-madīna, “the city”). Doublet of Mdina.
noun
- The traditional, older or non-European area of a North African town.e.g.“Although Hicham usually worked in the new town, he still lived in the medina.”
name
- A major city, the capital of Medina province, Saudi Arabia, holy to Islam, 200 miles north of Mecca along the Hejaz, from which the Hijra was launched; contains Muhammad's tomb.
- A province of Saudi Arabia.
- A city, the county seat of Medina County, Ohio, named for the city in Saudi Arabia.
- A river, flowing south to north through the centre of the Isle of Wight, England; in full, the River Medina.
- A former borough of the Isle of Wight, England.
- A river in south central Texas, which gives its name to Medina County; in full, the Medina River.
- A surname from Spanish.e.g.““It’s a great message that we’re sending not only here in Huntington Park but in other cities as well,” Medina added.”
- A female given name transferred from the surname.
- A suburb of Perth, Western Australia.
- A municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- A community in Zorra Township, Ontario, Canada.
- A municipality and town in Cundinamarca department, Colombia.
- A municipal district of San Cristóbal province, Dominican Republic.
- A village in Tolna County, Hungary.
- A rural locality in Hurunui district, Canterbury, New Zealand; a short river named the Medina River is nearby.
- A municipality of Misamis Oriental, Philippines.
- A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Kansas.
- A number of places in the United States:; A city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
- A number of places in the United States:; A village in Orleans County, New York.
- A number of places in the United States:; A tiny city in Stutsman County, North Dakota.
- A number of places in the United States:; A small city in Gibson County, Tennessee.
- A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Bandera County, Texas.
- A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Zapata County, Texas.
Words closest in meaning
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