red sea

noun

1. an arm of the Indian Ocean, extending NW between Africa and Arabia: connected to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal. 1450 miles (2335 km) long; 170,000 sq. mi. (440,300 sq. km); greatest depth, 7254 feet (2211 meters).

noun

1. a long narrow sea between Arabia and NE Africa, linked with the Mediterranean in the north by the Suez Canal and with the Indian Ocean in the south: occasionally reddish in appearance through algae. Area: 438 000 sq km (169 000 sq miles)

n.

the Greek thalassa erythra; the reason for the name is unknown; speculation has traced it to: 1. algae in coastal waters; 2. sandstone rock formations on the shores; 3. a tribal name; 4. ancient association of “red” with “south” (as “black” with “north”).

Narrow sea between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.