East Timor

[ eest tee-mawr, tee-mawr ]

noun

1. a republic on the E half of Timor; the only Asian country that lies entirely within the Southern Hemisphere: Portuguese colony 1702–1975, though occupied by Japan 1943–1945; independent 1975–1976; annexed by Indonesia 1976; independent since 2002. 5,743 sq. mi. (14,874 sq. km). : Dili.

East Timor

noun

1. a small country in SE Asia, comprising part of the island of Timor: colonized by Portugal in the 19th century; declared independence in 1975 but immediately invaded by Indonesia; under UN administration from 1999 and an independent state from 2002. It is mountainous with a monsoon climate; subsistence agriculture is the main occupation. Languages: Portuguese, Tetun (a lingua franca), and Bahasa Indonesia. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Dili. Pop: 1 172 390 (2013 est). Area: 14 874 sq km (5743 sq miles) Official nameTimor-Leste

Word History and Origins

Origin of East Timor¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

A tin whistle was played at the start of the event and prayers were said, members from the East Timor community and local councillors also spoke briefly.

From BBC

The pontiff also used his speech to praise Timor-Leste - formerly known as East Timor - for its new era of "peace and freedom", more than two decades after it achieved independence from neighbouring Indonesia.

From BBC

Enthusiasm for the pontiff's visit is huge, but the Pope is being urged by campaigners to address a recent abuse scandal that tarnished the Church in Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor.

From BBC

Twenty years ago, Lacroix said, a united international community pushed in the same direction as the United Nations to restore peace to East Timor, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cambodia.

From Seattle Times

It will bring the Argentine Jesuit to the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, as well as the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, where the Catholic Church wields enormous influence.

From Seattle Times