these islands

== English == === Etymology === Circumlocution to avoid the word British in the phrase British Isles. === Noun === these islands pl (plural only) (chiefly Ireland, UK) The archipelago in the North Atlantic comprising Great Britain, Ireland and surrounding islands. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see these,‎ islands. ==== Synonyms ==== Anglo-Celtic Isles British Isles British and Irish Isles Islands of the North Atlantic