dell

Etymology 1

From Middle English delle, del, from Old English dell (“small dale”), from Proto-West Germanic *dalljā, from Proto-Germanic *daljō (“a hollow”), related to *dalą (“valley, dale”).

noun

  1. A valley, especially in the form of a natural hollow, small and deep.
    To this day they dwell In a lonely dell. 1794, William Blake, The Little Girl Found, lines 49-50
    In dells and dales, conceal'd from human sight. 1722, Thomas Tickell, Kensington Gardens

Etymology 2

Origin obscure. Originally thieves' cant. Compare Dutch del (“trollop, floozie”).

noun

  1. (obsolete) A young woman; a wench.

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