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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.

cirque

/sɜːrk/ /sɜːk/

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.

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