Arafura Sea

English

Etymology

Uncertain. Some theories of its origin have been presented, such as it deriving from Portuguese Alfours (free men), but it is more likely that it is named for the Harrafora, the indigenous name for the "people of the mountains" in the Moluccas. First recorded use dates to at least 1663.[1]

Pronunciation

Proper noun

the Arafura Sea

  1. A sea lying directly north of Arnhem Land and south of West Papua.

Translations

References