Aden

¹

[ ahd-n, eyd-n ]

noun

1. a seaport in and the economic capital of the Republic of Yemen, in the southern part: formerly the center of a British colony.
2. Colony of Aden, a former British colony on the Gulf of Aden and a member of the former Federation of South Arabia. 75 sq. mi. (194 sq. km). Also called State of Aden.
3. Protectorate of Aden, former name, until 1962, of the former Protectorate of South Arabia.
4. Gulf of Aden, an arm of the Arabian Sea between Arabia and the eastern tip of Africa.

aden-

²

1. variant of adeno- before a vowel:

   adenitis.

Aden

/ ˈeɪdən /

noun

1. the main port and commercial capital of Yemen, on the N coast of the Gulf of Aden , an arm of the Indian Ocean at the entrance to the Red Sea: capital of South Yemen until 1990: formerly an important port of call on shipping routes to the East. Pop: 584 000 (2005 est)
2. a former British colony and protectorate on the S coast of the Arabian Peninsula: became part of South Yemen in 1967, now part of Yemen. Area: 195 sq km (75 sq miles)

Aden

1. Capital and chief port of Yemen , located on the Gulf of Aden, near the southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula and the southern entrance of the Red Sea .

Notes

Its strategic location and excellent harbor have made Aden an important trading center of southern Arabia since ancient times, as well as a coveted conquest.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aden¹

First recorded in 1640–60; from Arabic ʿAdin, ʿAdan, perhaps ultimately from Akkadian edin(n)u “plain,” from Sumerian eden “plain, steppe”; Eden ¹( def )

Example Sentences

In June, at least 56 Somali and Ethiopian migrants died and 140 others were reported missing after a boat from Somalia capsized in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen’s south coast.

From BBC

It's not often that Aden Durde has time to stop and reflect on the "crazy" trail he's blazing through the NFL.

From BBC

The Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, sinking two vessels, seizing another and causing the deaths of at least four crew members.

From BBC

Lincoln running back Aden Jackson gained 88 of his game-high 140 yards rushing in the first half and had a two-yard touchdown run.

From Los Angeles Times

Kimberlee Singler has attended the start of her extradition hearing in London after being accused of murdering her daughter Elianna, 9, and son Aden, 7, who were found dead in their bedroom in Colorado Springs on 19 December last year.

From BBC

Words That Use aden-

What does aden- mean?

Aden- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “gland.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy.

Aden- comes from the Greek adḗn, meaning “gland.” This Greek root is ultimately the source of adenoids, the enlarged masses of lymphoid tissue in the upper pharynx, often obstructing breathing through the nasal passages.

Aden- is a variant of adeno-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use adeno-  article.

Examples of aden-

An example of a word you may have encountered that features aden- is adenectomy, “the surgical excision of a gland.” An adenoidectomy, if you’re wondering, is the specific term for the removal of the adenoids.

The first half of the word, aden-, means “gland,” as we now know. The second component, –ectomy, may be familiar to you as well. It appears in such words as  appendectomy and tonsillectomy. The form -ectomy means “excision,” or the removal of part of all of an organ. The word adenectomy, then, translates literally to “gland excision.”

What are some words that use the combining form aden-?

• adenalgia
• adenectopia
• adenemphraxis
• adenitis 
• adenoma

What are some other forms that aden– may be commonly confused with?

• adipo-
• adren-

Break it down!

The combining form -itis denotes “inflammation.” Adenitis, generally speaking, involves the inflammation of what part of the body?