ha-ha
1
9.9
A ditch with a low wall that keeps animals away without blocking the view
- noun
- Specialized
:
ha-ha
- This historic estate has a ha-ha that enhances the scenery and creates a seamless transition between the different areas.
Examples
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As we walked through the park, we admired the ha-ha that elegantly blended with the landscape while keeping the cows from wandering off.
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Shakespeare wrote a play whose title describes this brou-ha-ha to a tee.
Blog text (10) -
The garden was beautifully designed, featuring a ha-ha to separate the lawn from the flower beds without obstructing the view.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A hidden ditch that stops animals from coming in and keeps the view open
is for marking boundaries in gardens and parks, not mainly for animal control
9.9
A ditch with one side formed by a low wall that divides land without blocking the view
is used specifically in gardens or parks rather than general land division
How Deep
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ha-ha for the garden ditch comes from the old French word haha, an exclamation meaning 'what a surprise'. The ditch is hidden and surprises you when you come close, so a ha-ha keeps the view open while marking a boundary.