Definition

Proper noun: * The Lesser Antilles: A specific group of islands in the southeastern West Indies, forming an arc from the Virgin Islands south to Trinidad, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This archipelago is the smaller, more southerly part of the Antilles island chain.

Usage

• The term "Lesser Antilles" is used as a proper noun to refer to the geographical region as a whole. It is typically preceded by the definite article "the."
• It is used in geographical, historical, and travel contexts to distinguish this island group from the larger islands of the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico).

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The volcanic islands of the Lesser Antilles are known for their stunning beaches and lush rainforests.
  • Our cruise will tour several islands in the Lesser Antilles, including Barbados and Saint Lucia.
  • Geologically, the Lesser Antilles form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Plate.

Advanced Usage

• "The Windward Islands" and "The Leeward Islands": These are sub-groupings within the Lesser Antilles, based on historical sailing patterns. The Windward Islands are generally the southern islands (e.g., Martinique, Saint Lucia, Grenada), while the Leeward Islands are the northern islands (e.g., Antigua, Saint Kitts, the Virgin Islands).

Variants and Related Words

• Antilles (proper noun): The broader archipelago in the West Indies, comprising both the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles.
• Greater Antilles (proper noun): The larger, northwestern island group in the Antilles, including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
• Caribbean (adjective/noun): Pertaining to the Caribbean Sea or its islands, which include the Lesser Antilles.

Synonyms

• The Caribbees (archaic/proper noun): An older, less common name for the Lesser Antilles.
• Eastern Caribbean islands (descriptive phrase): A general descriptive term that often corresponds to the islands of the Lesser Antilles.

Noun

1. a group of islands in the southeastern West Indies