coulee
UK[ˈkuːleɪ]US[ˈkuːleɪ]
n
a deep ravine or gulch, typically one formed by water erosion.
n
a stream of solidified lava or a valley formed by such a stream.
Etymology
the word 'coulee' entered english from canadian french in the early 19th century, reflecting the landscape of north america. its french source, 'coulée,' meaning "a flow," derives from the verb 'couler' (to flow), which in turn comes from latin 'colare' (to filter, strain). the semantic journey from the general concept of filtering or flowing liquid to the specific geological features is clear. in english, it first described steep-sided, often dry ravines formed by flash floods, and later was applied in geology to valleys formed by flows of molten lava, thus preserving the core idea of a channel carved or formed by a flowing substance.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from canadian french, where "coulée" means "a flow" or "something that flows." it is derived from the french verb "couler," meaning "to flow," which itself originates from the latin verb "colare," meaning "to filter" or "to strain."
Examples
the hikers carefully descended into the steep, rocky coulee.
the massive coulee in eastern washington was carved by catastrophic ice age floods.
the volcanic landscape was marked by a deep, black coulee of ancient basalt.