Pronunciation: ' k ə r-s ə - ˌ n ē z, - ˌ n ē s
Variant: or ancient Cher · so · ne · sus \ ˌ k ə r-s ə - ' n ē -s ə s \
Function: geographical name
any of several peninsulas: as (1) Jutland (the Cim · bri · an Chersonese \ ' sim-br ē - ə n \ or Cim · bric Chersonese \ -brik \ ); (2) the Malay Peninsula (the Golden Chersonese ); (3) Crimea (the Tau · ric Chersonese \ ' to ̇ r-ik \ ); (4) Gallipoli (the Thra · cian Chersonese \ ' thr ā -sh ə n \ )