British
From Free net encyclopedia
British is an adjective derived from Pretannic, one of the earliest collective descriptions used for the inhabitants of the British Isles. Since 1922 its meaning has changed, and it is now more commonly used as a quick way of saying "of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", typically when used to describe the citizenship of a person from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It might be seen in the following contexts:
- In a geographical context, it usually applies to someone or something from the island of Great Britain.
- In a political context it can apply to a person or object from, or the people or nation of:
- 1707 to 1801 – United Kingdom of Great Britain
- 1801 to 1922 – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- 1922 to date – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- The British Empire
- Additionally the prefix British was often applied to an area or territory governed by or a dependent territory of the United Kingdom, for example the British Virgin Islands, the British Indian Ocean Territory, or British Columbia.
- In a military context it can refer to Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and by extension the British Empire; native regiments of British East Africa or the British East India Company or forces of other former colonies or the British Commonwealth, or any allied force under the command of the military of the United Kingdom.
- In an historical context it can refer to territory of the British Empire, or a dependent territory of the United Kingdom, or territory under occupation of British forces.
- As a descriptor of British English dialects collectively, or of the extinct Celtic language now called "British" or Brythonnic.
- In an ethnological context it refers to a person of British nationality and/or descent whether resident in the United Kingdom or abroad. It could also be applied to the the Brythonic people who once inhabited much of the island now known as Great Britain.
- in a sporting context it can refer to a competitor or a number of competitors representing the United Kingdom (or in the case of the Olympics Great Britain) in a sporting event, but who does not otherwise possess a strong affiliation with the United Kingdom.
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