ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ulster

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈəɫstɝ// UK //ˈʌlstɐ// ul·ster

n. the name for the northern part of Ireland. It includes six counties that are part of the United Kingdom and three that are part of the Republic of Ireland.

n. the historical province in the north of Ireland, comprising nine counties; politically, it refers to the six counties of Northern Ireland or the region as a whole.


SIMPLE

Ulster is the northern province of Ireland.

CONTEXTUAL

The flag of Ulster features a red hand on a white background with a cross.

COMPLEX

Political tensions in Ulster have shaped the history of the island for centuries, dividing communities along religious and national lines.

Origin

Possibly from Old Norse Uladztir, itself from Old Irish Ulaid (“Ulstermen”). More at Ulster.

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