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Glite Dictionary
Ellice Islands

Ellice Islands

8.8
A former name for the group of coral islands now called Tuvalu in the Pacific
  • proper noun
  • Literature
translation icon : Islas Ellice
  • The Ellice Islands gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978, becoming the nation of Tuvalu.

Examples

  • The Ellice Islands were once a British colony.

  • During World War II, the Ellice Islands were used as bases by the Allied forces.

  • Many people still use the name Ellice Islands when discussing historical events in the Pacific.

  • Have you ever visited the Ellice Islands?

  • During World War II, the Ellice Islands served as strategic bases for the Allied forces.

  • Many historians continue to refer to the Ellice Islands when discussing events in the Pacific region.

  • The Ellice Islands achieved independence from British rule in 1978, subsequently becoming known as Tuvalu.

Synonyms

Tuvalu
vsEllice Islands
5 7.0

A small country made of coral islands in the Pacific Ocean

is the older historical name used for the same islands

Surface Forms

Ellice Islands main

Morphology

Ellice + island

The phrase is compositionally 'Ellice' (a proper name) + 'islands', so a learner who knows 'island' can infer it refers to a group of islands named Ellice. However, the specific historical/referring information that this is the former name of Tuvalu (and the exact geographic identity) cannot be derived from the constituents because proper names carry no predictable meaning, so full interpretation requires prior knowledge.

Etymology

The place name Ellice Islands was given in the 19th century to honour British politician Edward Ellice. The name was used while Britain ruled the islands, so today Ellice Islands is the older name for the country now called 'Tuvalu'.