Pŏl'/y-nē'sĭ-ā, n.

(95), n. [Fr. polynésie, fr. Gr. πολύς, many, and νῆσος, an island.] (Geog.) A region of many islands; specifically, that part of the Pacific Ocean which includes numerous groups of islands, of which the more important are those of the Sandwich, Marquesas, Society, Navigator, and Friendly groups, and intermediate islands, the natives of which speak different dialects of the same language. New Zealand is often included, as the natives speak the Polynesian language.

☞ The Caroline and Pelew Islands belong to a different group, called Micronesia; and the Fejees, New Hebrides, New Guinea, &c., belong to a third group, called Melanesia, the natives of which are of a darker color, and have frizzled hair. Dana.