island

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: 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 Date: before 12th century 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 II. transitive verb Date: 1661 1. a. to make into or as if into an island b. to dot with or as if with islands 2. isolate