n.
Pronunciation: tü- ' vä-( ˌ )lü, - ' vär-( ˌ )ü
Variant: or formerly El · lice Islands \ ' e-lis \
Function: geographical name
islands W Pacific N of Fiji; a Brit. territory 1976-78; became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations 1978 capital Funafuti area 9 sq mi (23 sq km ), pop 9700 ― see GILBERT AND ELLICE