Ryukyu

• Ryūkyū
• Loochoo, Loo Choo, Lewchew, Lew Chew, Luchu, Liqueo, Lequio, Liquea, Lieuchieu, Liukiu, Liu Kiu, Liuqiu, Lekeyo, Leoo-keoo, Leookeoo, Lūchū

From Japanese 琉球 (Ryūkyū), from Middle Chinese 流求 (MC lɨu ɡɨu), a Chinese exonym for the island kingdom, of unclear origin.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹjuːkjuː/, /ɹiˈuːkjuː/

Ryukyu

1. A chain of islands in Japan roughly between Kyushu and Taiwan.

   Synonym: the Ryukyus

   • 1888 April, Stainton, H. T., “Nepticula Serella, N. SP.”, in Entomologist's Monthly Magazine‎, ISSN 0013-8908, OCLC 633248149, page 261:

     White Butterflies in Japan.[...]Shortly after this I left Yokohama for the Ryukyu Islands, and next had my attention attracted by the "White" in the Bay of Kagoshima.

• (from Mandarin Chinese) Liuchiu