dene

American  

[deen] / din /

Or dean

noun

British.

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

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Dene ¹ British  

/ 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

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dene ² British  

/ diːn /

noun

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

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dene ³ British  

/ diːn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of dene

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

Example Sentences

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

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

We know nothing more of Ashford, which, as I have said, till late in the Middle Age consisted of a church and two mills and a dene for the pannage of hogs in the Weald.

From England of My Heart : Spring by Hutton, Edward

Like the prodigal, he grew that ashamit o' what he had dene, that he gied up his kirk, and gaed hame to the day's darg upon his father's ferm.

From Salted with Fire by MacDonald, George

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