proper noun
madras
The former name of Chennai, India.
The old map labeled Chennai as Madras.
Etymology
Madras is the historical city-name now replaced officially by Chennai. Several explanations of its deeper origin have been proposed, but no single derivation can be stated confidently here.
More examples
- She was born in Madras before the city's name changed.
- The archive preserved photographs of colonial Madras.
- A historic timetable listed a train bound for Madras.
Forms
madras
Similar words
- Chennai
- Chennai is the city's current official name; Madras is its former name.