valley
//ˈvæli//
Forms
- Plural
- valleys
Definitions
1.An elongated depression cast between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it.
- The Indus River valley was the site of an ancient civilization.
- The El Dorado-Searchlight area is geologically a north-south trending orogenous zone, paralleled on the east by the valley of the Colorado, and by an alluvial valley on the west.
2.An area which drains itself into a river.
3.Any structure resembling one, e.g. the interior angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1951
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English valeye, valey, from Anglo-Norman valey, Old French valee (compare French vallée), from Latin vallēs/vallis.
Doublet of vlei and vly.
Displaced native dene, from dene and partially displaced native dale, from dæl.