a group of about 100 islands (fewer than 20 inhabited), off the N coast of Scotland, which constitute an island authority of Scotland: a Norse dependency from the 8th century until 1472; noted for the breeding of Shetland ponies, knitwear manufacturing, and fishing; oil-related industries. Administrative centre: Lerwick. Pop: 21 870 (2003 est). Area: 1426 sq km (550 sq miles)
Also called: Shetland Islands. Official name (until 1974): Zetland
Shetland in American English1
(ˈʃɛtlənd)
noun
1.
a.
Shetland pony
b.
Shetland sheepdog
2. [alsos-]
a.
Shetland wool
b.
a fabric made from Shetland wool
Shetland in American English2
(ˈʃɛtlənd)
administrative division of NE Scotland, consisting of a group of islands (Shetland Islands) in the Atlantic, northeast of the Orkney Islands: 553 sq mi (1,432 sq km); pop. 23,000
a very small sturdy breed of pony with a long shaggy mane and tail
Shetland wool
a fine loosely twisted wool yarn spun from the fleece of Shetland sheep and used esp for sweaters
Shetland Islands
a group of about 100 islands (fewer than 20 inhabited ), off the N coast of Scotland , which constitute an island authority of Scotland: a Norse dependency from the 8th century until 1472; noted for the breeding of Shetland ponies , knitwear manufacturing , and fishing; oil-related industries. Administrative centre: Lerwick . Pop: 21 870 (2003 est). Area: 1426 sq km (550 sq miles)
Shetland pullover
a thick woollen sweater made from Shetland wool
Shetland sheepdog
a small dog similar in appearance to a rough collie
South Shetland Islands
a group of uninhabited islands in the S Atlantic , north of the Antarctic Peninsula : formerly a dependency of the Falkland Islands; part of British Antarctic Territory since 1962. ( Claims are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty ). Area: 4662 sq km (1800 sq miles)