Great Britain

English

proper noun
Definitions
  • The island (and sometimes including some of the surrounding smaller islands) off the north-west coast of Europe made up of England, Scotland and Wales. Abbreviation: GB.
  • England, Scotland and Wales in combination.
  • (historical) The United Kingdom. This was the official name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801.
  • A national sports team representing the United Kingdom in an international competition.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English Great Brittaigne affix from English great + English Britain.

Origin

English

Britain

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms