gulley
UK[ˈɡʌli]US[ˈɡʌli]
n
a small, narrow valley or channel formed by running water, especially on a hillside.
n
a deep ditch or gutter, especially at the side of a road.
Etymology
the word 'gulley' traces a vivid path from the human body to the landscape. it originates from the latin word gula, meaning 'throat', which metaphorically described any narrow, channel-like passage. this concept passed into middle french as goulet, referring specifically to a bottle's neck or a narrow strait. by the mid-16th century, english adopted the term as 'gully' to describe a water-worn ravine, capturing the image of the earth's surface being carved as if by a draining throat. the spelling variant 'gulley' emerged, solidifying the word's modern meaning for any small, eroded channel that carries water away.
Analysis
the word 'gulley' is a simplex word. it is a variant spelling of 'gully', which entered english as a loanword. its ultimate origin is uncertain but it is likely from middle french goulet (meaning 'neck of a bottle, narrow passage'), a diminutive of goule (meaning 'throat'), from latin gula (meaning 'throat').
Examples
the heavy rain quickly turned the footpath into a muddy gulley.
they built a small bridge over the gulley to access the field.
water rushed down the gulley, carrying leaves and debris with it.