Cirque - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A cirque is a bowl-shaped hollow formed by glacial erosion, typically found in mountainous regions. It often contains a small lake and is also known as a corrie or cwm.
Definition:
A steep-walled, bowl-shaped hollow in a mountain formed by glacial erosion.
Synonyms:
amphitheater, basin, hollow, corrie
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
peak, summit
Common Collocations:
glacial cirque, mountain cirque, alpine cirque
Derivatives:
cirques, cirqued
Usage Tips:
Use "cirque" to describe a glacial landform; avoid confusing it with "circus."
Common Phrases:
cirque glacier, cirque wall, cirque floor
Etymology:
From French "cirque," from Latin "circus," meaning ring or circle.
Examples:
- 1. The hikers marveled at the stunning cirque carved by ancient glaciers.
- 2. A small lake filled the bottom of the rocky cirque.
- 3. The alpine cirque was surrounded by towering cliffs on three sides.
- 4. Glacial erosion created this deep cirque thousands of years ago.