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islay

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Islay¹

  • /ˈaɪlə/

Where it comes from

Derived from Scottish Gaelic Ìle, but probably ultimately of non-Indo-European (substrate) origin, along with other uncertain names in Scotland such as Skye, Lewis, and Arran. Watson (1926) hinted that a Proto-Brythonic/Proto-Celtic root connected to Gaulish *ilio (“flank, buttock”) or Welsh ilio (“to ferment”) might be behind the name. The silent s in this word, as in island, is due to an unetymological association with isle.

proper noun

  1. The southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute council area, Scotland.

islay²

  • /ˈɪzleɪ/

Where it comes from

Borrowed from Spanish islay.

noun islays

  1. Prunus ilicifolia, a traditional Native American food plant in southern California.

    Similar: hollyleaf cherry, evergreen cherry

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Cite this
MLA

"islay." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/islay. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

islay. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/islay

Chicago

"islay." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/islay.

BibTeX
@misc{islay_2026,
  title = {islay},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/islay},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}