n.
Pronunciation: ' mo ̇ l- ˌ d ē vz, - ˌ d ī vz also ' mal-, -divz
Function: geographical name
islands in Indian Ocean S of the Laccadives; a sultanate under Brit. protection until 1965; now an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations capital Male area 115 sq mi (299 sq km ), pop 270,101
– Mal · div · i · an \ mo ̇ l- ' di-v ē - ə n, mal- \ adjective or noun