vlei

noun

variants or less commonly vlaie or vly
in sense 1 ˈf|lā or ˈv| or |lī or Afrik ˈfləi,
in sense 2 ˈvlī or ˈflī
plural -s
1
or less commonly vley southern Africa : a marshy depression in which water collects in the wet season : a temporary lake : pan
2
North : marsh

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Afrikaans vlei meadow, valley, vlei, from Middle Dutch valeye valley, field, from Old French valee; in sense 2, from obsolete Dutch dialect (Hudson valley) vlei, from Middle Dutch valeye

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Dictionary Entries Near vlei

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vlei

vlei rat

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Cite this Entry

“Vlei.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vlei. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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