exclave
noun
ex·clave ˈek-ˌsklāv 
-ˌskläv
: a portion of a country separated from the main part and constituting an enclave in respect to the surrounding territory
Did you know?
You probably won't be surprised to learn that the key to "exclave" is found in "enclave." "Enclave" itself ultimately derives from the Latin word for "key," which is "clavis." It was adopted in the mid-19th century from Middle French enclaver ("to enclose"), which in turn derives (through Vulgar Latin) from in- and clavis. "Exclave" was formed about twenty years later by combining the prefix ex- and the "-clave" of "enclave." Other "clavis" descendants in English include "autoclave," "clavicle," "conclave," and "clavichord" ("an early keyboard instrument in use before the piano").
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Poland and Lithuania border the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, the most militarized territory in all of Europe. 
John R. Deni And Michael O’hanlon, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022 In June, Killnet also sought to overwhelm Lithuanian public services websites after that country began enforcing E.U. sanctions on a Russian exclave. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile Lithuania -- which borders Russian allies Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast -- says that by June, visitor numbers were at 88% of 2019 levels. Julia Buckley, CNN, 6 Aug. 2022 The town where it is based, Campione d’Italia, is an exclave (opposite of ‘enclave’) of Italy, meaning a patch of Italian territory inside Switzerland. Irene Dominioni, Forbes, 18 July 2022 The 43-mile Suwalki Gap is wedged between Russia’s exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a Russia ally. Katie Wadington, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 Moscow has found itself at the center of yet another Eastern European conflict after Lithuania banned certain goods from traveling by rail through its territory to reach Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave nestled between Poland and the Baltics. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 25 June 2022 Killnet said its attacks were in retaliation regarding Lithuania's recent banning of shipments sanctioned by the European Union to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 27 June 2022 The Russian authorities threatened Lithuania with retaliation if the Baltic country did not swiftly reverse its ban on the transportation of some goods to Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Lithuania and Poland. New York Times, 20 June 2022 See More
John R. Deni And Michael O’hanlon, WSJ, 10 Aug. 2022 In June, Killnet also sought to overwhelm Lithuanian public services websites after that country began enforcing E.U. sanctions on a Russian exclave. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile Lithuania -- which borders Russian allies Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast -- says that by June, visitor numbers were at 88% of 2019 levels. Julia Buckley, CNN, 6 Aug. 2022 The town where it is based, Campione d’Italia, is an exclave (opposite of ‘enclave’) of Italy, meaning a patch of Italian territory inside Switzerland. Irene Dominioni, Forbes, 18 July 2022 The 43-mile Suwalki Gap is wedged between Russia’s exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a Russia ally. Katie Wadington, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 Moscow has found itself at the center of yet another Eastern European conflict after Lithuania banned certain goods from traveling by rail through its territory to reach Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave nestled between Poland and the Baltics. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 25 June 2022 Killnet said its attacks were in retaliation regarding Lithuania's recent banning of shipments sanctioned by the European Union to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 27 June 2022 The Russian authorities threatened Lithuania with retaliation if the Baltic country did not swiftly reverse its ban on the transportation of some goods to Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Lithuania and Poland. New York Times, 20 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
ex- + -clave (as in enclave)
First Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined above
exclave
noun
as in territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- territory
- diaspora
- outpost
- colony
- plantation
- protectorate
- camp
- habitation
- post
- dependency
- mandate
- possession