— islandish, islandlike , adj. — islandless , adj.
/uy"leuhnd/ , n.
1. a tract of land completely surrounded by water, and not large enough to be called a continent.
2. something resembling an island, esp. in being isolated or having little or no direct communication with others.
3. a raised platform with a counter or other work surface on top situated in the middle area of a room, esp. a kitchen, so as to permit access from all sides.
4. See safety island .
5. a low concrete platform for gasoline pumps at an automotive service station.
6. a clump of woodland in a prairie.
7. an isolated hill.
8. Anat. an isolated portion of tissue differing in structure from the surrounding tissue.
9. Railroads. a platform or building between sets of tracks.
v.t.
10. to make into an island.
11. to dot with islands.
12. to place on an island; isolate.
[ bef. 900; ME iland, OE igland, iland, var. of iegland, equiv. to ieg island (c. ON ey ) + land LAND; sp. with -s- by assoc. with ISLE ]