Difference between revisions of "Island"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
− | alteration (influenced by Anglo-French isle) of earlier ''iland'', from [ | + | alteration (influenced by Anglo-French isle) of earlier ''iland'', from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] ''īgland'' (akin to Old Norse ''eyland''), from ''īg'' island (akin to Old English ''ēa'' river, [[Latin]] aqua water) + ''land'' [[land]] |
− | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century] |
The spelling of the word was modified in the 15th century due to an incorrect association with the etymologically unrelated Old French loanword ''isle'', which itself comes from the [[Latin]] word ''insula''. Old English ig is actually a cognate of Latin aqua (water). | The spelling of the word was modified in the 15th century due to an incorrect association with the etymologically unrelated Old French loanword ''isle'', which itself comes from the [[Latin]] word ''insula''. Old English ig is actually a cognate of Latin aqua (water). | ||
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
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*2: something resembling an island especially in its [[isolated]] or surrounded [[position]]: as | *2: something resembling an island especially in its [[isolated]] or surrounded [[position]]: as | ||
:a : a usually raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway used especially to separate or direct [[traffic]] | :a : a usually raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway used especially to separate or direct [[traffic]] | ||
− | :b : a superstructure on the deck of a ship (as an [ | + | :b : a superstructure on the deck of a ship (as an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_carrier aircraft carrier]) |
:c : a kitchen counter that is approachable from all sides | :c : a kitchen counter that is approachable from all sides | ||
*3: an isolated [[group]] or area; especially : an isolated [[Ethnic|ethnological]] group | *3: an isolated [[group]] or area; especially : an isolated [[Ethnic|ethnological]] group | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
− | An '''island''' is any piece of sub-continental [[land]] that is [[surrounded]] by [[water]]. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called [ | + | An '''island''' is any piece of sub-continental [[land]] that is [[surrounded]] by [[water]]. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoll islets], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cay cays] or keys. An island in a [[river]] or [[lake]] may be called an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ait eyot] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holm_(island) holm]. A grouping of geographically or geologically related islands is called an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archipelago archipelago]. |
− | An island may still be [[described]] as such despite the [[presence]] of an artificial land bridge, for example [ | + | An island may still be [[described]] as such despite the [[presence]] of an artificial land bridge, for example [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore Singapore] and its causeway, or the various Dutch delta islands, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IJsselmonde_(island) IJsselmonde]. Some places may even retain "island" in their [[names]] for historical reasons after being [[connected]] to a larger landmass by a wide land bridge, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island Coney Island]. Conversely, when a piece of [[land]] is separated from the mainland by a man-made canal, for example the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnese Peloponnese] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth_Canal Corinth Canal], it is generally not considered an island. |
− | There are two main types of islands: [ | + | There are two main types of islands: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island#Continental_islands continental islands] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island#Oceanic_islands oceanic islands]. There are also [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_island artificial islands]. |
[[Category: Earth Science]] | [[Category: Earth Science]] |
Latest revision as of 01:22, 13 December 2020
Origin
alteration (influenced by Anglo-French isle) of earlier iland, from Middle English, from Old English īgland (akin to Old Norse eyland), from īg island (akin to Old English ēa river, Latin aqua water) + land land
The spelling of the word was modified in the 15th century due to an incorrect association with the etymologically unrelated Old French loanword isle, which itself comes from the Latin word insula. Old English ig is actually a cognate of Latin aqua (water).
Definitions
- 1: a tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent
- 2: something resembling an island especially in its isolated or surrounded position: as
- a : a usually raised area within a thoroughfare, parking lot, or driveway used especially to separate or direct traffic
- b : a superstructure on the deck of a ship (as an aircraft carrier)
- c : a kitchen counter that is approachable from all sides
- 3: an isolated group or area; especially : an isolated ethnological group
Description
An island is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot or holm. A grouping of geographically or geologically related islands is called an archipelago.
An island may still be described as such despite the presence of an artificial land bridge, for example Singapore and its causeway, or the various Dutch delta islands, such as IJsselmonde. Some places may even retain "island" in their names for historical reasons after being connected to a larger landmass by a wide land bridge, such as Coney Island. Conversely, when a piece of land is separated from the mainland by a man-made canal, for example the Peloponnese by the Corinth Canal, it is generally not considered an island.
There are two main types of islands: continental islands and oceanic islands. There are also artificial islands.