Britain

English

/ˈbɹɪ.tən/, /ˈbɹɪ.tn̩/

proper noun
Definitions
  • The island of Great Britain, consisting of England, Scotland and Wales.
  • (loosely) The United Kingdom.
  • (historical) Brittany.
  • (historical) The British state and its dominions and holdings; the British Empire.
  • (in the plural) The British Empire.
  • (nonstandard) The British Isles.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English Breteyn inherited from Old English Breoton derived from Latin Britannia (Britain) derived from Britaine derived from Old French Bretaigne derived from Latin Brittannia derived from Proto-Brythonic *Prɨdėn (Britain).

Origin

Proto-Brythonic

*Prɨdėn

Gloss

Britain

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms