outland

The traveler journeyed through the outland.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Remote or outlying region: "outland" refers to a distant, isolated, or sparsely populated area, often considered peripheral or backward compared to more central regions.
   • Land belonging to a manor or estate: In historical or feudal contexts, "outland" denotes land that is part of a lord's estate but located away from the main manor or settlement.
   • Foreign country (archaic or poetic): In older usage, especially in poetry, "outland" can mean a foreign nation or land beyond one's own borders.

Usage Examples

• Noun (remote region):

  • The pioneers traveled to the outland, far from the comforts of the city. (They journeyed to a distant and isolated area.)
  • Few people live in the outland because it is so difficult to access. (The region is sparsely populated due to its remoteness.)

• Noun (estate land):

  • The outland was used for grazing sheep, while the inlands were reserved for crops. (The distant parts of the estate were for livestock.)

• Noun (foreign country, archaic):

  • He sailed to the outland seeking fortune and adventure. (He went to a foreign land for opportunities.)

Advanced Usage

• "the outlands" (plural): often used to describe the peripheral or border areas of a country or region.

  • The outlands of the empire were poorly governed and lawless. (The remote territories were neglected.)

• "outlandish" (adjective, derived): strange, unfamiliar, or bizarre, originally meaning "from a foreign or distant land."

  • Her outlandish clothing drew stares from the locals. (Her foreign-style clothes seemed odd.)

Variants and Related Words

• Outlandish (adj): looking or sounding foreign, strange, or unconventional.

  • The outlandish customs of the tribe fascinated the explorers. (The unfamiliar practices were remarkable.)

• Outlander (n): a person from a foreign or distant region; a stranger.

  • The outlander was welcomed by the villagers despite his different language. (The foreigner was treated kindly.)

Synonyms

• Hinterland: the remote or less developed areas of a country.
• Backcountry: rural or wild areas far from cities.
• Borderland: land near a frontier or boundary.

Related Idioms

• "Out of the outlands": an expression meaning coming from a very remote or isolated place.
  • He seemed to have come out of the outlands, with no knowledge of modern life. (He appeared from an isolated region.)

Additional Notes

• The word "outland" is rarely used in modern everyday English, except in historical, literary, or specialized (e.g., geography or estate management) contexts. The more common adjective "outlandish" and noun "outlander" are still in use.