amazon

amazon · noun¹

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromἈμαζών
2. English todayamazon

From Amazon, from Ancient Greek Ἀμαζών (Amazṓn).

Amazon · noun²

1. Old Persian · derived from*hamazan-“warrior”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromἈμαζών
3. English todayAmazon

From Middle English, from Latin, from Ancient Greek Ἀμαζών (Amazṓn); perhaps Ionian Greek pronunciation of Old Persian *hamazan- (“warrior”), as the Amazon women were known warriors. A popular folk etymology, of Ancient Greek provenance, claims that the word derives from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + μαζός (mazós, “breast”), referencing the belief that Amazons cut off their right breast so that it would not hinder their ability to fire a bow or throw a spear.

Amazon · proper noun, noun³

1. Spanish · derived fromRío Amazonas
2. English todayAmazon

From Spanish Río Amazonas. It is common belief that the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana fought a battle against a tribe of Tapuya natives, in which the women fought alongside the men, and that he derived the name from the Amazons in Greek mythology.

Amazon · proper noun, verb⁴

Chosen by Jeff Bezos in 1994 as a word beginning with 'A' which had existing connotations (see meanings listed in etymologies 1 & 2) of being exotic, different, and (as the Amazon River) the largest of its kind in the world.