What does calais mean?

Definitions for calais
ˈkæl eɪ, kæˈleɪ, ˈkæl ɪscalais

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word calais.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. Calaisnoun

    a town in northern France on the Strait of Dover that serves as a ferry port to England; in 1347 it was captured by the English king Edward III after a long siege and remained in English hands until it was recaptured by the French king Henry II in 1558

Wiktionary

  1. Calaisnoun

    A town in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, in the north of France.

Wikipedia

  1. Calais

    Calais (UK: KAL-ay, US: kal-AY, traditionally KAL-iss, French: [kalɛ] (listen)) is a port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's prefecture is its third-largest city of Arras. The population of the city proper is 72,929; that of the urban area is 149,673 (2018). Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel, which is only 34 km (21 mi) wide here, and is the closest French town to England. The White Cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a clear day from Calais. Calais is a major port for ferries between France and England, and since 1994, the Channel Tunnel has linked nearby Coquelles to Folkestone by rail. Due to its position, Calais since the Middle Ages has been a major port and a very important centre for transport and trading with England. Calais came under English control after Edward III of England captured the city in 1347, followed by a treaty in 1360 that formally assigned Calais to English rule. Calais grew into a thriving centre for wool production, and came to be called the "brightest jewel in the English crown" owing to its great importance as the gateway for the tin, lead, lace and wool trades (or "staples"). Calais remained under English control until its capture by France in 1558. During World War II, the town was virtually razed to the ground: in May 1940, it was a strategic bombing target of the invading German forces who took it during the siege of Calais. The Germans built massive bunkers along the coast in preparation for launching missiles at England. The old part of the town, Calais proper (known as Calais-Nord), is situated on an artificial island surrounded by canals and harbours. The modern part of the town, St-Pierre, lies to the south and south-east. In the centre of the old town is the Place d'Armes, in which stands the Tour du Guet, or watch-tower, a structure built in the 13th century, which was used as a lighthouse until 1848 when a new lighthouse was built by the port. South east of the Place is the church of Notre-Dame, built during the English occupancy of Calais. Arguably, it is the only church built in the English perpendicular style in all of France. In this church, former French President Charles de Gaulle married Yvonne Vendroux. South of the Place and opposite the Parc St Pierre is the Hôtel-de-ville (the town hall), and the belfry from the early 20th century. Today, Calais is visited by more than 10 million annually. Aside from being a key transport hub, Calais is also a notable fishing port and a centre for fish marketing, and some 3,000 people are still employed in the lace industry for which the town is also famed.

ChatGPT

  1. calais

    Calais is a city in northern France located along the English Channel. It is a major port for ferries between France and England and is also the nearest French town to England. Historically, it was taken by England in 1347 and remained under English rule until 1558. Calais is known for the famous Calais Jungle, a refugee and migrant encampment in the vicinity of Calais.

Wikidata

  1. Calais

    Calais is a town and major ferry port in northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras. The population of the metropolitan area at the 1999 census was 125,584. Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel, which is only 34 km wide here, and is the closest French town to England. The White Cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a clear day from Calais. Calais is a major port for ferries between France and England, and since 1994, the Channel Tunnel has linked nearby Coquelles to Folkestone by rail. Due to its position, Calais since the Middle Ages has been a major port and a very important centre for transport and trading with England. It was annexed by Edward III of England in 1347 and grew into a thriving centre for wool production. Calais was a territorial possession of England until its capture by France in 1558. The town came to be called the "brightest jewel in the English crown" owing to its great importance as the gateway for the tin, lead, lace and wool trades. In 1805 it was a staging area for Napoleon's troops for several months during his planned invasion of the United Kingdom. The town was virtually razed to the ground during World War II, when in May 1940, it was a strategic bombing target of the invading German forces who took the town during the Siege of Calais. During World War II, the Germans built massive bunkers along the coast in preparation for launching missiles on England.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Calais

    a fortified seaport in France, on the Strait of Dover, where it is 21 m. across; was in possession of the English from 1347 to 1558, and the last town held by them on French soil; is the chief landing-place for travellers from England to the Continent, and has considerable export trade, as well as cotton and tulle manufactures.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

  1. calais

    A fortified seaport town of France, department of Pas-de-Calais, on the Strait of Dover. The town and harbor are defended by a castle and several forts, and can be rendered inaccessible by land by flooding the adjacent ground, which is low and marshy. It was taken by Edward III. after a year’s siege in August, 1347; retaken by the Duke of Guise, January, 1558. It was taken by the Spaniards, April, 1596; restored, 1598. Louis XVIII. landed here in 1814, after his exile.

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. CALAIS

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Calais is ranked #32562 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Calais surname appeared 706 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Calais.

    56.3% or 398 total occurrences were Black.
    36.8% or 260 total occurrences were White.
    3.4% or 24 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
    2.1% or 15 total occurrences were of two or more races.

Matched Categories

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How to say calais in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of calais in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of calais in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of calais in a Sentence

  1. French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron:

    The day this relationship unravels, migrants will no longer be in Calais, collective energy would be spent on unwinding existing links, not re-creating new ones.

  2. David Charles:

    The response has been overwhelmingly positive... people are interested in learning more about Calais.

  3. British Prime Minister David Cameron:

    I have every sympathy with holiday makers who are finding access to Calais difficult because of the disturbances there, we will do everything that we can to work with the French and bring these things to a conclusion.

  4. Oliver Kenny:

    I'm not anti-Brexit, but I do want Brexit to go away, i buy a lot of fresh cheese from Italy that can't stay in a lorry park in Calais. I'd like to know my supply chain (and) ...I'm unable to plan that at the moment.

  5. David Cameron:

    If ... we can stay in a reformed Europe, you know what you get, you know that the borders stay in Calais, you know that we have a seat determining the rules when it comes to the future of Europe, you know we have that vital information whether it's about terrorists or criminals traveling around Europe because we are part of those organizations.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

calais#10000#25551#100000

Translations for calais

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"calais." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/calais>.

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