a region of W central Germany: formerly a duchy (1816–66), from which a branch of the House of Orange arose (represented by the present rulers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg); annexed to the Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau in 1866; corresponds to present-day W Hesse and NE Rhineland-Palatinate states
2. (ˈnæsɔː)
the capital and chief port of the Bahamas, on the NE coast of New Providence Island: resort. Pop: 229 000 (2005 est)
Nassau in American English1
(ˈnɑˌsaʊ)
noun
name of the princely family of the former German duchy of Nassau, which, as the House of Orange, has ruled the Netherlands since 1815
Nassau in American English2
(ˈnɑˌsaʊ; for 2 ˈnæˌsɔ)
1.
region in W Germany: formerly a duchy
2.
capital of the Bahamas, on New Providence Island: pop. 172,000