Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A port city in western Greece: Patrai (also commonly spelled Patras) is a city located in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. It lies on an inlet of the Ionian Sea.
   • A historical trade center: The city was a major commercial hub from the 5th century BC to the 3rd century BC. Its commercial significance was revived during the Middle Ages.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • We took a ferry from Italy to the Greek port of Patrai.
  • The historical importance of Patrai as a trade center is well-documented.

Advanced Usage

• Used in historical or geographical contexts: The term "Patrai" is primarily used when discussing the city's ancient or medieval history, or its specific geographical location.
  • The ancient agora of Patrai has been the subject of recent archaeological studies.

Variants and Related Words

• Patras: The more common modern English spelling and transliteration of the city's name (Πάτρα in Greek).
  • Patras is the third-largest city in Greece.

Synonyms

• Port of Patras: A synonym emphasizing its function as a harbor.
• Patras, Greece: The full modern name of the city.

Noun

1. a port city in western Greece in the northwestern Peloponnese on an inlet of the Ionian Sea; was a major trade center from the 5th century BC to the 3rd century BC; commercial importance revived during the Middle Ages