dene

Or dean

[deen]

noun

British.

1. a bare, sandy tract or low sand hill near the sea.

Dene

¹

/ ˈdɛneɪ, ˈdɛnɪ /

plural noun

1. the North American Indian peoples of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in Canada. The official body representing them is called the Dene Nation

dene

²

/ diːn /

noun

1. a valley, esp one that is narrow and wooded

dene

³

/ diːn /

noun

1. dialect,  a sandy stretch of land or dune near the sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of dene¹

1815–20; earlier den, in same sense, Middle English (in phrase den and strond ); perhaps to be identified with Middle English dene, Old English denu, dænu valley

Word History and Origins

Origin of dene¹

via French déné, from Athapascan dene people

Origin of dene²

Old English denu valley; see _den

Origin of dene³

C13: probably related to Old English dūn hill; see _down ³