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Glite Dictionary
Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

29 2.9
A country in West Africa next to Guinea and Liberia with capital Freetown
  • proper noun
  • /siˈɛrə liˈoʊn/
: Sierra Leona
  • Liberia's problems with other states began in 1980 and involved Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.
  • Sierra Leone and Liberia
  • Sierra Leone and Nigeria
  • Freetown, Sierra Leone

So countries like Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone, these countries are now narco states.

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Examples

  • The people of Sierra Leone have responded generously, but their own lack of infrastructure is impeding the relief efforts.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Many people are hopeful for a brighter future in Sierra Leone after years of conflict.

  • The book began as the story of a young American's experiences in Sierra Leone as he searches for a missing college friend.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Despite its natural resources, Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world.

    Blog text (10)

  • In early June and again in July 1990, he agreed to take part in peace talks in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The people who live next to the Moa River in Sierra Leone dig for diamonds each year after the river dries up.

    Academic text (1995)

  • A surprisingly large group began with relatively democratic political systems (e.g., Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Jamaica).

    Academic text (1990)

  • Metalwork and ceramics from the prehistoric period in Sierra Leone have been found in abundance in numerous archaeological surveys.

    Academic text (1990)

  • In Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, many communities are working together to improve local schools.

  • The beautiful beaches of Sierra Leone attract many tourists every year.

Synonyms

Republic of Sierra Leone
vsSierra Leone
1 3.4

A country in West Africa that became independent from the United Kingdom in 1961

is the common everyday name used instead of the official title

Surface Forms

Sierra Leone main

Morphology

Sierra + Leone

This is a lexicalized proper name whose referent (a West African country) cannot be derived from the constituent forms. The parts 'Sierra' and 'Leone' are not productive English vocabulary items here (and even if a learner knew 'sierra' = ridge/mountain or 'leone' = lion in other languages, that would not transparently yield the country identity or location). Identifying it as a country requires prior lexical/encyclopedic knowledge rather than compositional inference.

Etymology

Sierra Leone may come from old Portuguese words: sierra meaning 'mountain range' and leone meaning 'lion', because early sailors thought the loud thunder or the shape of the hills sounded like a lion. That's why the place was called the 'Lion Mountains' and today the name means the country.