Britain
proper nounnounadjectivecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈbɹɪt.ən//
- United Kingdom/[ˈbɹɪt.n̩]/
- United States//ˈbɹɪt.ən//
- United States/[ˈbɹɪɾ.ᵊn̩]/
The United Kingdom, a kingdom and country in Northern Europe including the island of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland on the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland.
proper noun
- 1
The United Kingdom, a kingdom and country in Northern Europe including the island of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland on the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland.
- 2
Great Britain, a large island (sometimes also including some of the surrounding smaller islands) off the north-west coast of Western Europe, made up of England, Scotland, and Wales; especially (but not exclusively) during antiquity.
- 3
England, Scotland and Wales in combination.
- 4
obsoleteBrittany.
- 5
The British Isles.
- 6
historicalThe British state and its dominions and holdings; the British Empire.
- 7
The British Empire.
The name of 'Britain' […] ought to answer every purpose, or if that be thought too condensed, it may be pluralized into ‘The Britains’.
Etymology
Etymology tree Celticder. Ancient Greek Βρεττᾰνός (Brettănós) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā) Ancient Greek Βρεττανία (Brettanía)bor. Latin Britannia Anglo-Norman Britainebor. Middle English Britayne English Britain From Middle English Britayne, Breteyn, from Anglo-Norman Bretaigne, Bretaine, from Latin Brittannia, variant of Latin Britannia, from Britannī; reinforced by native Old English Breten, from the same Latin source. Ultimately from Proto-Brythonic *Prɨdėn (“Britain”) from *Pritanī (also compare *Prɨdɨn (“Picts”) from *Pritenī), attested to in Ancient Greek as Πρεττανική (Prettanikḗ), compare Welsh Prydain. Doublet of Britannia and Brittany. More at Britto.
noun
- 1
archaicAn ancient Briton.
The Britains’ struggles with the Scots and Picts [...] led to the Britains asking the Romans for help in constructing a great wall.
Etymology
From Middle English brytayn, from Latin Britannus (adjective and noun, plural Britannī), apparently from Brythonic (compare Old Welsh Priten).
adjective
- 1
obsoleteBriton; British.
[M]ightie Albion, father of the bold / And warlike people which the Britaine Iſlands hold.
Forms
- plural
- Britains
- comparative
- more Britain
- superlative
- most Britain
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