rimrock
UK[ˈrɪmrɒk]US[ˈrɪmrɑːk]
n
A prominent layer of resistant rock forming the top of a cliff or the edge of a plateau, especially in arid regions.
Morpheme Breakdown
rim
rock
rim
rock
Etymology
The word 'rimrock' is a transparent compound formed within Modern English from two native Old English elements. 'Rim' derives from the Old English rima, meaning "border" or "edge," a term of Germanic origin. 'Rock' comes from the Old English rocc, referring to a stone mass, likely borrowed from a late Latin or Celtic source. The compound logically describes a geological feature where a durable rock layer creates a distinct, often sheer, edge or border atop a cliff or mesa, perfectly encapsulating its literal meaning as a "rock that forms a rim." This term is particularly associated with the landscapes of the American West.
Analysis
Structure: rim + rock
rim: From Old English rima (border, edge, coast), functioning as a noun denoting an edge or margin.
rock: From Old English rocc (large stone, rock mass), functioning as a noun denoting the core material.
Examples
The trail wound its way up to the base of the towering rimrock.
Bighorn sheep are often seen perched precariously on the narrow ledges of the rimrock.
From the rimrock, we had a breathtaking view of the entire desert valley below.