Irian

Indonesian

Etymology

Constructed from:

• From Indonesian acronym Ikut Republik Indonesia Anti Nederlands (“Join Republic of Indonesia anti Netherlands”)
• From Biak iri-an (“land-hot”), referring to Papua's hot weather, and iryan (“heating process”) metaphorically in the process of entering new era.
• From Serui iri-an (“land-nation”),
• From Merauke iri-an (“placed higher-nation”)

Proper noun

Irian

1. New Guinea (A large Oceanian island in the Pacific Ocean).
2. Papua (A province of Indonesia).
3. Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea.

See also

• Irian Jaya (historical)
• Irian Barat (historical)
• Irian Jaya Tengah (historical)
• Nugini (rare, fossil word)