Definition

Proper noun: * The former name (1936-1961) of Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. This name was used during the rule of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The city is historically significant as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • During the mid-20th century, the maps labeled the capital as Ciudad Trujillo.
  • The historic colonial zone in Ciudad Trujillo contains many buildings from the 16th century.
  • After the dictator's fall, Ciudad Trujillo was renamed back to Santo Domingo.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is primarily used in historical texts, documents, or discussions referring to the period of Trujillo's rule (1936-1961). Using it to refer to the present-day city is incorrect and may be considered insensitive due to its association with a brutal dictatorship.
  • Example: The 1950 guidebook described the attractions of Ciudad Trujillo.

Variants and Related Words

• Santo Domingo (proper noun): The current and original name of the city. This is the standard and correct term for all contemporary and most historical references.
• Distrito Nacional (proper noun): The National District, the specific municipality that contains the city of Santo Domingo.

Synonyms

• Santo Domingo (primary synonym, used before 1936 and after 1961)
• The Capital of the Dominican Republic (descriptive synonym)

Notes on Meaning

This word has only one specific meaning: the historical name for Santo Domingo during a particular 25-year period. It is not used in idioms or phrasal verbs. Its usage today is almost exclusively historical.

Noun

1. the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic
   • Santo Domingo is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the Americas with the oldest cathedral and the oldest hospital and the oldest monastery in the Western Hemisphere