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Glite Dictionary
Austronesia

Austronesia

7.6
A group of islands in the central and South Pacific including Indonesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia
  • proper noun
  • /ˌɔːstrəˈniːʒə/
translation icon : Austronesia
  • The languages spoken in Austronesia are remarkably diverse, with hundreds of distinct dialects.

Examples

  • Many anthropologists study the migration patterns of peoples throughout Austronesia.

  • Austronesia includes some of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth.

  • Austronesia is known for its diverse cultures.

  • Did you know that Austronesia includes many beautiful islands?

  • Austronesia encompasses a vast expanse of islands in the Pacific Ocean, including famous spots like Hawaii and Fiji.

  • The biodiversity found in Austronesia is significant, making it a key area for ecological research.

  • Austronesia is home to numerous indigenous cultures, each with its own unique traditions and languages.

Synonyms

Oceania
vsAustronesia
3 4.3

A region of many islands in the South Pacific including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia

includes central Pacific islands and Indonesia rather than only South Pacific ones
Oceanica
vsAustronesia
7.9

A region of many islands in the South Pacific, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia

is defined to include Indonesia and central Pacific islands more explicitly

Surface Forms

Austronesia main

Morphology

Austronesia = austro + nesia

The components 'austro-' and '-nesia' are recognizable in place names (e.g., Polynesia, Micronesia), but they are combining forms rather than standalone English words, so learners can only partially infer the meaning.

Etymology

Austronesia comes from two parts: Austro- meaning 'south' (the same root as Australia) and -nesia from a Greek word for 'island', as in Polynesia and Micronesia. So Austronesia literally means 'southern islands' and is used for the island regions of the central and South Pacific.