swale
pronunciation
How to pronounce swale in British English:
UK [sweɪl]
How to pronounce swale in American English:
US [sweɪl]
Word Origin
- swale (n.)
- "low, hollow place, often boggy," 1580s, special use of Scottish swaill "low, hollow place," or East Anglian dialectal swale "shady place" (mid-15c.); both probably from Old Norse svalr "cool," from Proto-Germanic *swalaz. A local word in England, in U.S. given broad application, especially to the lower tracts of the prairie and recently to landscaping features in suburban developments.
Example
- 1. Janet swale was delectable as the young heroine of the play .
- 2. He took no heed of the course he pursued , so long as that course led him through the swale bottom .
- 3. It is a long narrow swale between two ranges of mountains , and the salinas river winds and twists up the center until it falls at last into monterey bay .