Australasian, a. and n.
(ɔːstrəˈleɪʃ(ɪ)ən)
[f. Australasia, ad. F. Australasie (f. L. austrālis southern + Asia) + -an; given originally, by De Brosses, to one of his 3 divisions of the alleged Terra Australis: now used to include Australia and its adjoining islands.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to Australasia. B. n. A native or colonist of Australasia.
| [1756 De Brosses Hist. Navig. aux Terres Australes Pref. 2 La division de la terre australe y étoit faite, relativement à ces trois mers, en Magellanique, Polynésie, et Australasie. 1766 Callander Terra Australis I. 49 (transl. De Brosses) The first [division] in the Indian Ocean south of Asia, which for this reason we shall call Australasia.] 1802 G. Shaw Zool. III. 506 Other Australasian Snakes. 1819 Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) I. 268 The Australasians grow corn. 1838 Dublin Rev. July 276 New Zealand is included in the vast diocese of our Australasian Bishop. 1937 D. Cowie N.Z. from Within 253 [New Zealand] refuses to allow the term ‘Australasian’ to be used in her hearing. 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 60/2 Australasian region, one of the primary faunal regions into which the land surface of the globe is divided; includes Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, New Zealand, and the islands south and east of Wallace's line. |