n.
Pronunciation: ' mo ̇ l-t ə
Variant: or ancient Mel · i · ta \ ' me-l ə -t ə , m ə - ' l ē -t ə \
Function: geographical name
1 or Mal · tese Islands \ mo ̇ l- ' t ē z, - ' t ē s \ group of islands in the Mediterranean S of Sicily; a dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations since 1964 capital Valletta area 122 sq mi (317 sq km ), pop 397,296
2 island, chief of the group area 95 sq mi (247 sq km )