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Glite Dictionary
Khyber Pass

Khyber Pass

1 7.1
A narrow mountain route between Pakistan and Afghanistan used for trade and army movements
  • proper noun
translation icon : Paso Khyber
  • The Khyber Pass has been a crucial route for trade and military operations throughout history.

Examples

  • Many historical invasions have taken place through the Khyber Pass, showcasing its strategic importance.

  • Foreigners are also not allowed on the famous Khyber Pass, but a trip to the check post can be exciting.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Until recently, to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, NATO forces had to ship most of their supplies north from Pakistan via the Khyber Pass.

    Academic text (2011)

  • This may induce the Pakistani military to do more for convoy protection near the Khyber Pass.

    Blog text (3)

  • Tourists often visit the Khyber Pass to witness the breathtaking landscapes and learn about its history.

Surface Forms

Khyber Pass main

Morphology

Khyber + pass

The head noun 'pass' transparently indicates a mountain passage, so a learner who knows both words would infer it's a geographical pass named 'Khyber'. However, 'Khyber' is a proper name with no lexical meaning for learners and the phrase's historical/strategic and commercial significance cannot be derived from the constituents, so full meaning is not predictable.

Etymology

Khyber Pass comes from a narrow gap between high mountains. The word pass means a low way people can cross. For many years traders and armies used this gap as a main 'route' between Central and South Asia, so it became known for 'trade' and 'invasions'.