Asia
Asia proper n
L. < Gk < Akkadian asu, 'to go out, to rise'; or Sanskrit ushas, land of the dawn.
- North-eastern hemisphere; large landmass east of Europe; continent of high mountains, world religions, and great natural resources; region including the Middle East, the Far East, the Indian peninsula, and the Malay peninsula; [historical] Asia Minor; cradle of civilization; place where Adam and Eve lived (see ED letters); [fig.] jungle; exotic identity; lush homeland; luxuriant native country; life-giving place of origin; domicile of tigers and other big cats.