English

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Etymology

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From Prakrit 𑀤𑀻𑀯 (dīva), from Sanskrit द्वीप (dvīpa, island, peninsula).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /diːvz/, /daɪvz/, /dɪvz/

Suffix

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-dives

  1. (no longer productive) islands, archipelago.
    Laccadives, Maldives

Usage notes

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Terms formed with the -dives suffix are usually followed by definite article the. For example, the Maldives.