Lake Keuka

6.7

A lake made by glaciers in central New York with a Y shape among the Finger Lakes

proper noun
/leɪk ˈkjuːkə/

: Lago Keuka

The unique Y-shape of Lake Keuka sets it apart from the other Finger Lakes.

Examples

Boating and fishing are popular activities on Lake Keuka throughout the warmer months.
Every summer, families gather to vacation at Lake Keuka and enjoy its scenic views.
I visited Lake Keuka last summer.
Have you ever been to Lake Keuka?
Boating and fishing are popular activities on Lake Keuka throughout the warmer months.
Every summer, families gather to vacation at Lake Keuka and enjoy its scenic views.
The unique Y-shape of Lake Keuka sets it apart from the other Finger Lakes.

Synonyms

Keuka Lake

vsLake Keuka

7.5

A Y-shaped lake in central New York that is one of the Finger Lakes

means the same but has the name with reversed word order

Surface Forms

Lake Keuka main

Morphology

lake + Keuka

The expression is compositional: 'lake' (a body of water) plus the proper name 'Keuka' yields 'a lake called Keuka', which a learner who knows both constituents can immediately interpret as a named body of water. Specific encyclopedic details (glacial origin, location, Y-shape) are not derivable from the words, but the basic referential meaning is transparent.

Etymology

Lake Keuka likely gets its name from a Native American word. One popular story says Keuka meant 'canoe landing' because the lake's Y-shape made good places to launch and land small boats, so the name reminds people of its shape and use.