Melanesia

Pronunciation

• US Rhymes: -iːʒə

Origin

From Ancient Greek μέλας (melas, "dark") + νῆσος (nēsos, "island"), referring to the skin color of the inhabitants.

Full definition of Melanesia

Proper noun

1. Part of Oceania, made up of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji.
• 2004, Mary N. MacDonald, Thinking and teaching with the indigenous traditions of Melanesia, My job, then, is that of a cultural and religious broker of sorts, co-opting Melanesia to serve as a stimulus to thought in Le Moyne classrooms.

Related terms

• Melanie
• Micronesia
• Polinesia