MELITE (anc. geog.), an island referred to Africa by Scylax and Ptolemy; but nearer Sicily, and allotted to it by the Romans: commended for its commodious harbours; for a city well built, with artificers of every kind, especially weavers of fine linen; all owing to the Phoenicians the first colonists. Now Malta; remarkable for St Paul's shipwreck. See MALTA.