East Timor

[eest tee-mawr, tee-mawr]

noun

1. a republic on the E half of Timor; the only Asian country that lies entirely within the Southern Hemisphere: Portuguese colony 1702–1975, though occupied by Japan 1943–1945; independent 1975–1976; annexed by Indonesia 1976; independent since 2002. 5,743 sq. mi. (14,874 sq. km). Dili.

East Timor

noun

1. Official name: Timor-Leste. a small country in SE Asia, comprising part of the island of Timor: colonized by Portugal in the 19th century; declared independence in 1975 but immediately invaded by Indonesia; under UN administration from 1999 and an independent state from 2002. It is mountainous with a monsoon climate; subsistence agriculture is the main occupation. Languages: Portuguese, Tetun (a lingua franca), and Bahasa Indonesia. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Dili. Pop: 1 172 390 (2013 est). Area: 14 874 sq km (5743 sq miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of East Timor¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

And, in a highly symbolic moment of unity, Asean formally welcomed East Timor as a member.

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East Timor, also known by its Portuguese name Timor-Leste, is the youngest country in the region, having gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation.

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Putin said that this proposal was only one of many options, but pointed out that there were international precedents for UN control such as East Timor and parts of the former Yugoslavia.

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During this year's whale season, undergraduates from the National University of East Timor gathered at the research station to help with the sightings.

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A tin whistle was played at the start of the event and prayers were said, members from the East Timor community and local councillors also spoke briefly.

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