SingaporeSin·ga·pore (s?ng?g?-pôr?, s?ng??-) A country of southeast Asia comprising Singapore Island and adjacent smaller islands. A trading center as early as the 14th century, Singapore was later part of Johor, a region of the southern Malay Peninsula, under the Malacca Sultanate. The island of Singapore was ceded to the British East India Company in 1819, and the city was founded the same year by Sir Thomas Raffles. The British took complete control in 1824 and added Singapore to the newly formed Straits Settlements in 1826. During World War II it was held by the Japanese (1942-1945) before being retaken by the British. Singapore became a crown colony in 1946, a self-governing state in 1959, part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, and a fully independent republic in 1965. The city of Singapore is the capital.Sin?ga·por?e·an adj. & n.Word History: Singapore comes from Malay Singapora, “Lion-city.” This name is made up of two elements borrowed from Sanskrit. The pre-Islamic kingdoms of Southeast Asia and Indonesia were profoundly influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian civilization in general, and the languages of the region, such as Malay, Javanese, and Thai, have borrowed heavily from Sanskrit in the same way that English has borrowed heavily from Latin and French. Of the two Sanskrit elements that make up the Malay name Singapora, -pora comes from Sanskrit puram, “fortress, city,” and is related to Greek polis, “citadel, city.” The second element, singa-, comes from Sanskrit si?ha?, “lion.” A form of the Sanskrit word is familiar from the name Singh, which makes up part of the name of every male Sikh.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.Singapore (?s????p??; ?s????-) n1. (Placename) a republic in SE Asia, occupying one main island and over 50 small islands at the S end of the Malay Peninsula: established as a British trading post in 1819 and became part of the Straits Settlements in 1826; occupied by the Japanese (1942?45); a British colony from 1946, becoming self-governing in 1959; part of the Federation of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, when it became an independent republic (within the Commonwealth). Official languages: Chinese, Malay, English, and Tamil. Religion: Buddhist, Taoist, traditional beliefs, and Muslim. Currency: Singapore dollar. Capital: Singapore. Pop: 5 460 302 (2013 est). Area: now over 700 sq km (270 sq miles), increased in recent years as a result of land reclamation schemes2. (Placename) the capital of the republic of Singapore: a major international port; administratively not treated as a cityCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014Sin?ga?pore (?s?? g??p?r, -?po?r, ?s?? ?-) n. 1. an island off the S tip of the Malay Peninsula. 2. a republic comprising this and adjacent islets: member of the Commonwealth; formerly a British crown colony (1946?59) and a state of Malaysia (1963?65); independent since 1965. 3,531,600; 240 sq. mi. (639 sq. km). 3. the capital of this republic, a port on the S coast. 206,500. Sin`ga?po?re?an, n., adj. Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.