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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bryng us in no mutton, for that is often lene, Nor bryng us in no trypys, for thei be syldom dene But bryng us in good ale.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
At three we came on to Roddam, where an uncle and aunt of Charlie Bosanquet's live—a beautiful place, with a terraced garden almost overhanging the moorlands, and a dene stretching up into the Cheviots.
From Story of My Life, volumes 1-3 by Hare, Augustus J. C.
Seo dene is betwux ��re dune Sion and �am munte Oliueti, and seo byrigen is �teowed open and emtig, and ��r on-uppon on hire wur�mynte is ar�red m�re cyrce mid wundorlicum st�n-geweorce.
From The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church Containing the Sermones Catholici, or Homilies of ?lfric, in the Original Anglo-Saxon, with an English Version. Volume I. by Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham
A dene or glade opening near the house gives the place its name, the grounds being extensive and displaying gardens and fine woods.
From England, Picturesque and Descriptive A Reminiscence of Foreign Travel by Cook, Joel
Or it may be that it is so called of Wald and dene: for I have read it written in old evidences Waldæne, with a diphthong.
From Elizabethan England From 'A Description of England,' by William Harrison by Harrison, William
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.
