irredenta

/ˌɪrɪˈdɛntə/
noun
  1. A region or territory that is culturally or historically related to one country but is politically controlled by another, often leading to calls for annexation.
    • Many people in the irredenta speak the same language as their neighbors across the border.
    • The disputed irredenta has been a source of tension between the two nations for decades.
    • The government's claim to the irredenta is based on centuries-old historical ties.
  2. A person who advocates for the annexation of such a territory, especially as part of a nationalist movement.
    • As an irredenta, she spent years campaigning for the return of the ancestral lands.
    • The group of irredentas organized protests to demand the border be redrawn.
    • The irredenta gave a passionate speech about reuniting the lost province with the motherland.
What does "irredenta" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean