islet

[ ahy-lit ]

noun

1. a very small island.

adjective

1. Anatomy. situated in or pertaining to the islet of Langerhans:

   islet cells.

islet

/ ˈaɪlɪt /

noun

1. a small island

Other Words From

• islet·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of islet¹

From the Middle French word islette, dating back to 1530–40. See isle, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of islet¹

C16: from Old French islette; see isle

Example Sentences

S’Espalmador is an uninhabited islet located to the north of Formentera, and is approximately 1.8 miles long.

From BBC

The unnamed Chinese vessel had been trespassing Wednesday afternoon by sailing about one nautical mile off the coast of an islet of Kinmen island, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said in a statement.

From Seattle Times

The confrontation happened on a coral outcrop, which juts out of the high seas like an islet at low tide.

From Seattle Times

However, five Chinese coast guard personnel, three of them armed with steel batons, followed by boat, alighted on the islet and ordered the fishermen to leave.

From Seattle Times

The islet was disappearing from view already.

From Literature

Related Words

• archipelago
• enclave
• isle
• peninsula
• reef