Curação

Portuguese Etymology pt Uncertain 1. Usually cited as a shortening of pt Ilha pt da pt Curação (Island of Healing 1, in reference to the island's supposed use as a rest stop for sailors afflicted with scurvy or other ailments) but this could be a folk etymology, and a pt arw - 1 1 is deemed more likely by some (in which case pt Curaçau may be phonetically closer to the original form). Also compare Taíno *Koratewo, "far distant land", original name of Exuma. Alternatively, a corruption of pt coração heart. Pronunciation pt ɐ̃w̃ 3 pt curação coração Portugal pt Cu ra ção Proper noun pt Curaçau Usage notes Some dictionaries proscribe this form in favor of pt Curaçau.