Australasian

/ˌɔstrəˈleɪʒən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to Australasia, the geographic region encompassing Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Pacific islands.

Etymology

From Australasia (combining Latin 'australis' meaning southern with the suffix -asia, modeled on Asia) plus the English adjective suffix -an.

Kelly Says

Australasia is a somewhat fluid geographic term—it can include or exclude different Pacific island groups depending on context. Linguists, biologists, and geographers all have slightly different definitions, making 'Australasian' one of English's grayer geographic terms.

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