commonwealth
Definitions
An independent country or community, especially a democratic republic
国家；（尤指）民主共和国，政治共同体
An association of self-governing states, especially the Commonwealth of Nations
（自治国家组成的）联邦，国家联合体；（尤指）英联邦
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcommon + weal, where 'weal' is an old word for 'well-being, welfare.' So a commonwealth is literally 'the common welfare' — a body of people organized for the shared good. From that idea it came to name whole political communities: republics, certain US states that style themselves Commonwealths, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Why It Means This
The hidden half is 'weal,' not 'wealth' in the money sense. 'Weal' meant 'well-being' (it survives in 'for the common weal' and 'woe and weal'); modern spelling pulled it toward 'wealth.' So a commonwealth was never about shared money — it was about shared welfare, the whole community treated as one thing organized for everyone's good.
Common Collocations
- 1.the Commonwealth英联邦
- 2.Commonwealth countries英联邦国家
- 3.Commonwealth Games英联邦运动会
Example Sentences
- 1.
Australia is formally known as the Commonwealth of Australia.
- 2.
Massachusetts is one of four US states officially called a commonwealth.
- 3.
After independence, the new nation joined the Commonwealth of Nations.