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Glite Dictionary
Iles Marquises

Iles Marquises

8.8
A group of volcanic islands in the south central Pacific that are part of French Polynesia
  • proper noun
: Islas Marquesas
  • The Iles Marquises are renowned for their dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich Polynesian culture.

Examples

  • Many artists and writers, including Paul Gauguin, were drawn to the beauty of the Iles Marquises.

  • He spent several months exploring the remote villages of the Iles Marquises.

  • I visited the beautiful Iles Marquises last summer.

  • The Iles Marquises are known for their stunning landscapes.

  • The Iles Marquises are famous for their breathtaking scenery and unique cultural heritage.

  • During his travels, he discovered the rich history of the Iles Marquises.

  • Tourists flock to the Iles Marquises to experience the stunning natural beauty and vibrant traditions.

Synonyms

Marquesas Islands
vsIles Marquises
1 7.4

A group of volcanic islands in the south central Pacific that are part of French Polynesia

is the same name given in French rather than English

Surface Forms

Iles Marquises main

Morphology

ile + Marquises

The structure is compositional: 'ile' (island) plus 'Marquises' as a place name yields 'Marquesas Islands', so the referent (a group of islands called Marquises/Marquesas) is directly derivable from the parts. Although the form is French and 'Marquises' may be an unfamiliar proper name, the 'islands + place-name' pattern is cross-linguistically transparent and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Iles Marquises is a name given by early explorers to honour a nobleman. In French, Iles means 'islands' and Marquises refers to a 'marquis', so the name means 'Marquis Islands' and today it is the name for this group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia.