Surtsey

[ surt-see; Icelandic soort-sey ]

noun

1. an island south of and belonging to Iceland: formed by an undersea volcano 1963. About one mile (1.5 kilometers) in diameter; about 500 feet (150 meters) high.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Surtsey¹

First recorded in 1960–65; from Icelandic; literally, “Surt's Island,” equivalent to Surt-, a proper name + -s, genitive singular noun ending + ey “island”; Surt ( def ), island ( def )