Bay of Biscay
/ˌbeɪ əv ˈbɪskeɪ/noun
A broad inlet of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean bordered by France and Spain.
Did you know?The name Biscay is traditionally linked to Basque Bizkaia, but the deeper meaning of Bizkaia remains uncertain, making the sea’s name linguistically mysterious.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient period
Basque
Bizkaia
“The Basque name for the historical region now called Biscay; its ultimate meaning is uncertain.”
Classical antiquity
Latin
Cantabricus Oceanus
“The Cantabrian Ocean, an ancient Roman name for waters along the northern Iberian coast.”
Medieval period
Old French
baie
“A bay or inlet; from Old French, ultimately derived through Latin from a word of uncertain origin.”
12th–13th Century
Latin
Biscaya
“A Latinized form referring to Biscay and its surrounding region.”
14th Century
Middle English
Biscay
“The regional name used in English for the coastal territory and adjacent sea.”
16th Century
English
Bay of Biscay
“The English geographic name for the large Atlantic bay between western France and northern Spain.”