bolson

[ bohl-sohn ]

noun

1. a desert valley, the level of which has been raised by aggradation, usually draining into a playa.

bolson

/ bəʊlˈsəʊn /

noun

1. a desert valley surrounded by mountains, with a shallow lake at the centre

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolson¹

1830–40, Americanism; < Spanish: big purse, equivalent to bols ( a ) purse (< Late Latin bursa; bursa ) + -ón augmentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolson¹

C19: from American Spanish bolsón , from Spanish bolsa purse, from Late Latin bursa bag; see purse

Example Sentences

The Hueco Bolson holds about 10 million acre-feet of fresh water and about three times as much brackish, or semi-salty, water.

From MIT Technology Review

Of this nature is the great arid tract known as the Bolson of Mapimi.

From Project Gutenberg

The vallon was therefore a cul-de-sac; or, as the trapper in his native synonyme called it, a bolson.

From Project Gutenberg

Our guide was of opinion that this bolson would serve as a hiding-place, until we could rest our horses.

From Project Gutenberg

Such lovely landscape was presented to our eyes in the “bolson” into which our trapper-guide had conducted us.

From Project Gutenberg

The collector stated that the large tortoises had been found in only one bolson in Coahuila.

From Project Gutenberg