Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - holland

 I. biographical name John Philip 1840-1914 American (Irish-born) inventor  II. biographical name Sir Sidney George 1893-1961 prime minister of New Zealand (1945-57)  III. geographical name  1. city W Michigan on Lake Michigan population 35,048  2. medieval county of Holy Roman Empire bordering on North Sea, now forming North & South ~ provinces of the Netherlands  3. — see Netherlands  • ~er noun HOLLAND  noun  Usage: often capitalized  Etymology: Middle English holand, from Holand, county in the Netherlands, from Middle Dutch Holland  Date: 14th century a cotton or linen fabric in plain weave usually heavily sized or glazed and used for window shades, bookbinding, and clothing