Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A country in Southeast Asia: East Timor is a sovereign nation located in the eastern part of the island of Timor in Maritime Southeast Asia.
   • A former Portuguese colony annexed by Indonesia: It refers to a territory that was a Portuguese colony until 1975, after which it was annexed by Indonesia.
   • An independent nation since 2002: It denotes the nation that achieved full independence on May 20, 2002, following a UN-administered transition period after a 1999 vote for independence.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • East Timor is known for its rich cultural heritage and coffee production.
  • The people of East Timor voted for independence in a 1999 referendum.
  • Dili is the capital city of East Timor.

Advanced Usage

• "The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste": This is the official long-form name for East Timor.

  • The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a member of the United Nations.

• "The independence of East Timor": Refers to the historical process and event of gaining sovereignty.

  • The international community recognized the independence of East Timor in 2002.

Variants and Related Words

• Timor-Leste (Proper noun): The Portuguese-derived official name for the country, commonly used in diplomatic and formal contexts.

  • The embassy of Timor-Leste is located in Washington, D.C.

• East Timorese (Adjective): Relating to East Timor or its people.

  • East Timorese culture is a blend of various influences.
  • (Noun): A native or inhabitant of East Timor.
  • The East Timorese celebrated their Independence Day.

Synonyms

• Timor-Leste: The official synonym for the country's name.

Related Phrases

• "The road to independence for East Timor": A phrase describing the long and often violent struggle for sovereignty.

  • The road to independence for East Timor was marked by significant sacrifice.

• "UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor)": Refers to the UN body that administered the territory from 1999 to 2002.

  • UNTAET helped prepare East Timor for self-governance.

Noun

1. a former Portuguese colony that was annexed by Indonesia in 1976; voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999 and in May 2002 became an independent nation