a. and sb. [f. Australasia, ad. F. Australasie (f. L. austrālis southern + Asia) + -AN; given originally, by De Brosses, to one of his 3 divisions of the alleged Terra Australis: now used to include Australia and its adjoining islands.] A. adj. Of or belonging to Australasia. B. sb. A native or colonist of Australasia.
[1756. De Brosses, Hist. Navig. aux Terres Australes, Pref. 2. La division de la terre australe y étoit faite, relativement à ces trois mers, en Magellanique, Polynésie, et Australasie.
1766. Callander, Terra Australis, I. 49 (transl. De Brosses). The first [division] in the Indian Ocean south of Asia, which for this reason we shall call Australasia.]
1802. G. Shaw, Zool., III. 506. Other Australasian Snakes.
1819. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1867), I. 268. The Australasians grow corn.
