vlei
9.9
A shallow wet area that fills with water in the rainy season in southern Africa
- noun
- /vleɪ/
- South African
:
vlei
- There were also numerous hills that were heavily wooded along their slopes, with open plateaus on their summits, and large tracts of grassy land (or vlei) that provided excellent grazing.
Examples
-
After the heavy rains, the vlei filled with water, attracting many birds.
-
PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): Dead Vlei - Namibia - 8:30 am, the site of a long-dead forest of acacia trees.
Academic text (2003) -
The hikers stopped by the vlei to rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
-
Children played by the edge of the vlei, splashing in the shallow water.
Synonyms
lake
vsvlei
∞
1.0
A large area of fresh water surrounded by land
is smaller and often shallow or seasonal rather than large and permanent
How Wet
Surface Forms
Etymology
Vlei comes from Afrikaans (and earlier Dutch) and originally meant a 'shallow marsh' or 'temporary pool'. That's why in southern Africa a vlei is a low place that fills with water after rain and acts like a seasonal lake.