Sylvan or Silvan refers to an association with the woods. Specifically, that which inhabits the wood, is made of tree materials, or comprises the forest itself. The term can also refer to a person who resides in the woods or a spirit of the wood. In mythology, the term also refers to deities or spirits of the woods.
The term in English is from the Latin silva meaning "forest, woods." This root is found in place names in Canada such as Sylvan Lake (as in wooded lake) in Alberta, Sylvan Valley Regional Park Reserve in Saskatchewan, and in the United States like Pennsylvania (lit. "Penn's woods") and Spotsylvania. The first names Sylvester and Sylva(i)n, and the female name Sylvia/Silvia, are also from the Latin word.
Read more about Sylvan: Notable Examples
Famous quotes containing the word sylvan:
“In miracles of pomp, we must be proud,
As if associates of the sylvan gods.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“In yonder Grave a Druid lies
Where slowly winds the Stealing Wave!
The Year’s best Sweets shall duteous rise
To deck its Poet’s sylvan Grave!”
—William Collins (1721–1759)