isthmus
Meaning: A narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses, with water on either side.
The most famous isthmus is the Isthmus of Panama, which connects North and South America and was cut by the Panama Canal to create a shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific. The Isthmus of Corinth in Greece was similarly cut by the Corinth Canal. Isthmuses are strategically important because they control land access between larger territories. In anatomy, the term describes any narrow connecting passage between two larger structures.
Examples
- The Isthmus of Panama was the site of one of the most ambitious engineering projects in history — the Panama Canal. 巴拿马地峡是历史上最宏伟的工程项目之一——巴拿马运河——的所在地。El istmo de Panamá fue el escenario de uno de los proyectos de ingeniería más ambiciosos de la historia: el canal de Panamá.パナマ地峡は、史上最も野心的な工学プロジェクトの一つであるパナマ運河の建設地でした。파나마 지협은 역사상 가장 야심찬 공학 프로젝트 중 하나인 파나마 운하의 건설지였습니다.
- Ancient armies marched across the narrow isthmus rather than risk the dangerous sea voyage around the peninsula. 古代军队选择跨越狭窄的地峡行军,而不愿冒险走危险的绕行海路。Los ejércitos antiguos cruzaban el estrecho istmo a pie en lugar de arriesgarse a la peligrosa travesía marítima rodeando la península.古代の軍隊は、半島を迂回する危険な海路を避け、狭い地峡を行軍しました。고대 군대는 반도를 우회하는 위험한 해로를 피해 좁은 지협을 횡단하여 행군했습니다.
- The town grew up on the isthmus between the lake and the sea, benefiting from access to both freshwater and saltwater fishing. 该镇在湖泊与大海之间的地峡上发展起来,同时受益于淡水和海水捕鱼。La localidad creció en el istmo entre el lago y el mar, beneficiándose del acceso a la pesca tanto en agua dulce como salada.その町は湖と海の間の地峡に発展し、淡水と海水の両方の漁業の恩恵を受けました。그 도시는 호수와 바다 사이의 지협에서 발전하여 담수와 해수 어업의 혜택을 모두 누렸습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin isthmus, from Greek isthmos (neck of land between two seas), possibly related to ienai (to go). Entered English in the 16th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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