Melanesia
[ mel-uh-nee-zhuh, -shuh ]
/ ˌmɛl əˈni ʒə, -ʃə /
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noun
one of the three principal divisions of Oceania, comprising the island groups in the S Pacific NE of Australia.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Words nearby Melanesia
melancholiac, melancholic, melancholy, Melanchthon, melanedema, Melanesia, Melanesian, Melanesian Pidgin English, mélange, melanic, Melanie
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for Melanesia
British Dictionary definitions for Melanesia
Melanesia
/ (ˌmɛləˈniːzɪə) /
noun
one of the three divisions of islands in the Pacific (the others being Micronesia and Polynesia); the SW division of Oceania: includes Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Louisiade, Solomon, Santa Cruz, and Loyalty Islands, which all lie northeast of Australia
Word Origin for Melanesia
C19: from Greek melas black + nēsos island; with reference to the dark skins of the inhabitants; on the model of Polynesia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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