province

Definitions

Traditionally explained as pro- (before, forth) + vincere (conquer) — 'a territory conquered and placed under Rome.' Romans called their conquered lands provinciae. From 'a region one controls' came the figurative sense: an area of responsibility that 'falls within your province.' Note: this etymology is debated and not certain.

Why It Means This

The link to vincere (conquer) is the traditional account — a province as conquered territory — but scholars genuinely disagree about the word's origin, so treat the connection as plausible rather than proven. What's clear is the meaning path: from a controlled region to any 'territory' you're in charge of, including a field of knowledge ('the province of historians').

Common Collocations

• 1.home province家乡所在省
• 2.fall within one's province属于某人的职权范围
• 3.outlying province偏远省份
• 4.the province of experts专家的专属领域

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Quebec is the largest province in Canada by area.

• 2.

  Tax law is really the province of specialists.

• 3.

  That decision falls outside my province.