Main Entry:

Mal·dives

Pronunciation:

\ˈmȯl-ˌdēvz, -ˌdīvz also ˈmal-, -divz\

Function:

geographical name

islands in Indian Ocean S of the Laccadives; a sultanate under British protection until 1965; now an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations ∗ Male area 115 square miles (299 square kilometers), population 270,101

— Mal·div·i·an \mȯl-ˈdi-vē-ən, mal-\ adjective or noun