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Formosa

old name of Taiwan, given by the Portuguese, from Portuguese Formosa insula "beautiful island." The adjective is from the fem. of Latin formosus "beautiful, handsome, finely formed," from forma "form, shape" (see form (n.)). Related: Formosan (1640s).

Formica (1)

proprietary name (1922) of a product manufactured originally by Formica Insulation Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. (founded 1913). According to the company, the material (originally marketed as an industrial insulator) was so called because it could be used for mica, i.e., in place of mica, a more expensive natural insulator. Primarily used in consumer goods since c. 1945.

Polly

fem. proper name, a rhyming collateral form of Molly, pet form of Mary. Noted as a parrot name from 1610s.

Shavian (adj.)

1903, "in the style or manner of George Bernard Shaw" (1856-1950), from Latinized form of his name. An earlier form was Shawian (1894).

Cleon

masc. proper name, from Latinized form of Greek kleon, kleos "rumor, report, news; good report, fame, glory," from PIE *klew-yo-, suffixed form of root *kleu- "to hear."

Cesar

Spanish form of masc. proper name Caesar.

Stradivarius (n.)

valued type of violin, 1818, from Latinized form of name of Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), violin-maker of Cremona, or his sons or pupils. Short form Strad is attested from 1884.

Dan (1)

familiar form of masc. proper name Daniel.

Geraldine

fem. proper name, fem. form of Gerald.

Helena

fem. proper name, Latin form of Helen.

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