dalles

¹ American  

[dalz] / dælz /

plural noun

1. the rapids of a river running between the walls of a canyon or gorge.

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Dalles ² American  

[dalz] / dælz /

noun

1. The, a city in N Oregon.

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dalles British  

/ dælz, ˈdæləs /

plural noun

1. a stretch of a river between high rock walls, with rapids and dangerous currents

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Etymology

Origin of dalles

1825–35, < Canadian French, plural of French dial. (Normandy) dalle literally, sink ≪ Germanic; compare Old English dæl dale

Example Sentences

But the early French hunters and trappers called a chasm or a defile or gorge, "dalles," meaning in their vernacular "a trough"—and "Dalles" it has remained.

From Oregon, Washington and Alaska; Sights and Scenes for the Tourist by Lomax, E. L. (Edward Lloyd)

Such a rock gorge is in itself a thing of beauty, but in the dalles there are many minor features which enhance the charm of the whole.

From The Geography of the Region about Devils Lake and the Dalles of the Wisconsin by Atwood, Wallace W.

And I set to work that day to list-rub the last few dalles of the jet.

From The Purple Cloud by Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps)

They had continued to follow the stone dalles of the embankment and were now near the end of the Quai; he stopped short again, and again stared at the mountains.

From A Woman's Will by Caliga, I. H. (Isaac Henry)

This is perhaps best seen in that part of the dalles known as the "Navy Yard."

From The Geography of the Region about Devils Lake and the Dalles of the Wisconsin by Atwood, Wallace W.