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island

[ahy-luhnd]

Origin

noun

a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.

something resembling an island, especially in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.

a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, especially a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.

safety island.

a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.

EXPAND

a clump of woodland in a prairie.

an isolated hill.

Anatomy. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.

Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.

COLLAPSE

verb (used with object)

10.

to make into an island.

11.

to dot with islands.

12.

to place on an island; isolate.

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Island is always a great word to know.

So is liver. Does it mean:

a glandular organ functioning in the secretion of bile and metabolic processes such as converting sugars located in the upper right abdominal cavity

one of the two organs in the back of the abdominal cavity that excrete urine, regulate fluid and electrolytes, and act as endocrine glands

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Origin:
before 900; Middle English iland, Old English īgland, īland, variant of īegland, equivalent to īeg island (cognate with Old Norse ey) + land land; spelling with -s- by association with isle

Related forms

is·land·ish, is·land·like, adjective

is·land·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To island

Collins

World English Dictionary

island (ˈaɪlənd)

—n
1.	a mass of land that is surrounded by water and is smaller than a continent
2.	See traffic island
3.	anatomy a part, structure, or group of cells distinct in constitution from its immediate surroundingsRelated: insular

—vb
4.	to cause to become an island
5.	to intersperse with islands
6.	to place on an island; insulate; isolate

Related: insular

[Old English īgland, from īg island + land; s inserted through influence of isle]

'island-like

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

island

O.E. igland "island," from ieg "island" (from P.Gmc. *aujo "thing on the water," from PIE *akwa- "water") + land "land." Spelling modified 15c. by association with similar but unrelated isle. An O.E. cognate was ealand "river-land, watered place, meadow by a river."

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

island is·land (ī'lənd)
n.
An isolated tissue or group of cells that is separated from the surrounding tissues by a groove or is marked by a difference in structure or function.

American Heritage

Science Dictionary

island (ī'lənd) Pronunciation Key
A land mass, especially one smaller than a continent, entirely surrounded by water.

Easton

Bible Dictionary

Island definition

(Heb. 'i, "dry land," as opposed to water) occurs in its usual signification (Isa. 42:4, 10, 12, 15, comp. Jer. 47:4), but more frequently simply denotes a maritime region or sea-coast (Isa. 20:6, R.V.," coastland;" 23:2, 6; Jer. 2:10; Ezek. 27:6, 7). (See CHITTIM.) The shores of the Mediterranean are called the "islands of the sea" (Isa. 11:11), or the "isles of the Gentiles" (Gen. 10:5), and sometimes simply "isles" (Ps. 72:10); Ezek. 26:15, 18; 27:3, 35; Dan. 11:18).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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