(~s)
1.
A ~ is a place that is isolated.
...a quiet rural ~.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
2.
If you refer to a place or institution as a ~, you think it is not developing properly because it is isolated from ideas and events in other places and institutions.
Britain could become a political ~ with no serious influence in the world...
N-COUNT: usu with supp disapproval