A geographical term, including Hindostan, Further India, and the islands beyond. Opposed to the West Indies or Central American islands.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. iii. 79. They shall be my East and West Indies, and I will trade to them both.
a. 1667. Cowley, Mistr. (1710), I. 82. Mine her fair East-Indies were above.
1837. Penny Cycl., IX. 252. The East Indies include also the islands of the Indian Ocean.
