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Island

1. (Science: geography) a tract of land surrounded by water, and smaller than a continent. Cf. Continent.

2. Anything regarded as resembling an island; as, an island of ice.

Origin: oe. Iland, yland, as. Igland, gland, glond; ig, g, island _ land, lond, land. As. Ig, g, is akin to as. Ea water, river, OHG. Uwa, g. Au meadow, Icel. Ey island, dan. & Sw. O, goth. Ahwa a stream, water, L. Aqua water. The s is due to confusion with isle. Cf. Ait, Eyot, Ewer, aquatic.