villa

¹ American  

[vil-uh] / ˈvɪl ə /

noun

1. a country residence or estate.

2. any imposing or pretentious residence, especially one in the country or suburbs maintained as a retreat by a wealthy person.

3. British. a detached or semidetached dwelling house, usually suburban.

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Villa ² American  

[vee-uh, vee-yah] / ˈvi ə, ˈvi yɑ /

noun

1. Francisco Doroteo ArangoPancho Villa, 1877–1923, Mexican general and revolutionist.

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villa ¹ British  

/ ˈvɪlə /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a country house, usually consisting of farm buildings and residential quarters around a courtyard

2. a large and usually luxurious country residence

3. a detached or semidetached suburban house

4. a medium-sized suburban house standing in its own grounds

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Villa ² British  

/ ˈviːə, ˈbiʎa /

noun

1. Francisco (franˈsisko), called Pancho Villa, original name Doroteo Arango. ?1877–1923, Mexican revolutionary leader

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Other Word Forms

• villa-like adjective
• villalike adjective

Etymology

Origin of villa

1605–15; (< Italian ) < Latin vīlla a country house, farm, akin to vīcus village, wick ³

Example Sentences

The villa is part of a complex of factory buildings, split by a fast-flowing river and surrounded by steep mountains.

From The Wall Street Journal

The mosaic and the surrounding Roman villa have since been granted Scheduled Monument status because of their national significance.

From Science Daily

With Dad still pacing and talking on the phone, I scroll through the websites, checking out watersport activities, all-inclusive beverage options, and private villas.

From Literature

Emails reveal the wealthy taking proxy measures of one another’s yachts and villas, showboating their riches in ways that make Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” look like a genteel glimpse into society mores.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is here that the villa is at its most theatrical.

From The Wall Street Journal