释义
the island containing England, Wales, and Scotland, and including the small adjacent islands. The name is broadly synonymous with Great Britain, but the longer form is more usual for the political unit.
不列颠岛(包括英格兰、威尔士和苏格兰以及临近的一些小岛,从广义上讲,该名称与大不列颠同义,但后者更常用于政治指称)。参见GREAT BRITAIN, UNITED KINGDOM.
词源
"Old English Breoton, from Latin Brittones Britons', superseded in Middle English by forms from Old French Bretaigne (from Latin Brit(t)annia). It became a largely historical term until revived in the mid 16th cent., the possible union of England and Scotland became a subject of political concern."