From Greek 'isthmos' (narrow passage, neck of land) — the Isthmus of Corinth was the defining original example.
Definition
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, with water on either side.
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Greek1550swell-attested
From Latin 'isthmus,' borrowed from Greek 'isthmos' (ἰσθμός), meaning a narrow passage or neck of land connecting two larger landmasses. Theetymology of the Greekword is uncertain but may relate to a PIE root *ey- (to go) via a sense of 'passable place' or 'place one goes through.' In ancient Greek, the word was closely associated with the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow strip connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece — site of the Isthmian Games
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Theword may be related to Greek 'ienai' (to go), suggesting a passage or route between largerareas.
. The Isthmus of Panama, the Isthmus of Suez, and the Isthmus of Kra are all named using this Greek loanword. Anatomically, any narrow connecting passage between two larger structures is termed an isthmus, making this one of the most productive Greek geographical terms in modern scientific vocabulary. Key roots: isth (Greek: "From Latin 'isthmus,' from Greek 'isthmo").