Nullah
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A stream-bed, ravine, or other watercourse; a drain for rain or floodwater. South-Asia
"About this time a large gole of horsemen came on towards me, and I proposed to charge; but as they turned at once from the fire of the guns, and as there was a nullah in front, I refrained from advancing after them."
- 2 a ravine or gully in southern Asia wordnet
- 3 An open-air, concrete-lined channel for draining rain or wastewater; a storm drain. Hong-Kong
"On all sides, wild mountains rise precipitously above wooded nullahs, and we have a clear view, to the right, of the famous Amah Rock, with its singular resemblance to a Chinese woman carrying her baby on her back in the traditional fashion."
Example
More examples"About this time a large gole of horsemen came on towards me, and I proposed to charge; but as they turned at once from the fire of the guns, and as there was a nullah in front, I refrained from advancing after them."
Etymology
Borrowed from Bengali নালা (nala), Hindi नाला (nālā), from Sanskrit नाडी (nāḍī).