Ellice

/ˈɛlɪs/ noun

Definition

A historical name for an island nation (now Tuvalu), used in geographic and colonial contexts.

Etymology

From the Ellice Islands, named after a British ship (the 'Ellice') in colonial times. The name was applied to the island group in the 19th century during European exploration.

Kelly Says

Tuvalu used to be called the Ellice Islands, showing how European explorers named places after their ships—imagine discovering islands and naming them after your boat instead of asking the people who lived there what they called home!

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