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Glite Dictionary
⛵ A sharp edge 🍖 A backbone cut 🔪 To cut backbone 🏞️ A steep valley
chine

chine

9.6
A steep narrow valley or gully that leads down to the sea
  • noun
  • /tʃaɪn/
  • UK
translation icon : barranco
  • The path leading down to the beach follows the steep slopes of a chine filled with dense vegetation.

Examples

  • But it is a very nice evocation of the landscape of Bournemouth, with its chines and its views of Purbeck and the Isle of Wight, in a distinctive era when it

    Blog text (24)

  • Branksome Chine is a popular spot for tourists, offering stunning views of the coastline.

  • Motorways are littered with directions to theme parks such as Gulliver's Kingdom, with Blackgang Chine, and of course Camelot.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The hikers ventured into the steep-sided valley known as the chine, surrounded by lush greenery.

Synonyms

ravine
vschine
46 5.8

A deep narrow valley with steep sides made by a river

is usually found on coasts rather than inland river valleys
gorge
vschine
32 5.3

A deep narrow valley with steep rocky sides, often with a river

is usually coastal rather than typically occurring between mountains
gulch
vschine
  • US
9 9.5

A narrow valley with steep sides and a small stream

is mainly located on coasts rather than inland stream hollows
flume
vschine
1 9.5

A deep narrow valley with steep sides and a stream running through it

is typically coastal rather than a general inland water channel
donga
vschine
  • South African
9.9

A deep gully made by water after heavy rain

is mainly found on coasts rather than in a single inland region
scaur
vschine
  • Archaic
9.9

A steep rocky bank beside a river or stream

is a steep coastal valley rather than a single bank or cliff

Compounds

crepe de Chine
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A thin lightweight silk fabric with a slightly crinkled surface used for dresses and blouses

How Steep

gorge
32 5.3
chine
  • UK
9.6
to ravine
9.9
gully
27 4.7
hollow
44 3.9

Surface Forms

chine singular
chines plural

Etymology

Chine for a steep valley comes from the same root as French échine 'back', and it describes a narrow, deep cut in the land that looks like a back or spine leading down to the sea.