Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a legendary treasure city of South America, sought by the early Spanish explorers.
- any place offering great wealth.
- a city in S Arkansas.
- a town in S Kansas.
noun
- a fabled city in South America, rich in treasure and sought by Spanish explorers in the 16th century
- Also: eldorado any place of great riches or fabulous opportunity
1590s, from Spanish El Dorado “the golden one,” name given 16c. to country or city believed to lie in the heart of the Amazon jungle, from past participle of dorar “to gild,” from Latin deaurare.
A place of fabulous wealth, or an opportunity to obtain it. During the gold rush many adventurers believed that California would be their El Dorado. The name comes from the name of a legendary South American city of stupendous riches sought by Spanish conquistadores.