dale
1 Americannoun
noun
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Sir Henry Hallett 1875–1968, English physiologist: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1936.
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Sir Thomas, died 1619, British colonial administrator in America: governor of Virginia 1614–16.
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a male or female given name.
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of dale
before 900; Middle English dal, Old English dæl; cognate with German Tal, Old Norse dalr, Gothic dals
Explanation
A dale is a valley, a wide, open area that stretches between hills. Some dales have rivers or streams flowing through them, while others are covered in grasses or other plants. When a geologist describes something as a dale or a valley, it is typically a low area that's longer than it is wide, and bordered on at least two sides by hills or mountains. Dales with rivers are often called "vales," while a very small dale is sometimes called a "hollow," pronounced "holler" in rural Appalachia. Dale comes from the Old English word for "valley," dæl.
Vocabulary lists containing dale
First-Name Basis: Words That Are Also Names
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"Mississippi Solo," Vocabulary from the memoir
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Tolkien Reading Day, List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Dale, dale, ACFC. Dale, Angel City,” they sang in Spanish — “Go on, go on, ACFC.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2023
In a single year, there is enough to patio over every hill, dale, nook and cranny in England.
From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2019
Every two years, the call goes out from hill and dale: “This is the most important election of our lifetimes,” politicians trumpet to the crowds.
From Time • Nov. 4, 2014
We measured the temperature and the insect abundance at... the top of the dale and it was too changeable and too inhospitable.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2013
The old Valyrian road glimmered ahead of them like a long silver ribbon winding through wood and dale.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.