ireland
ireland Lexical Profile
• noun
A sovereign nation in northwestern Europe occupying about five-sixths of the island of Ireland; officially known as the Republic of Ireland.
"She traveled to Ireland to explore her family's heritage and visit the historic streets of Dublin."
An island in the North Atlantic Ocean, located to the west of Great Britain, comprising both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
"The island of Ireland is famous for its lush green landscapes and maritime climate."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'Ireland' is commonly used to refer both to the entire geographic island and specifically to the sovereign state (the Republic of Ireland), which is politically distinct from Northern Ireland.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'Īrland', combining the Old Irish name for the island 'Ériu' (also the name of a Celtic goddess) with the Germanic suffix '-land'.