Glossary of Unfamiliar Terms

Beck = creek

Brow = projecting upper part or margin of a steep place

Burn = brook

Cairn = heap of stones piled up as a memorial or landmark

Cirque = steep, hollow excavation high on a mountainside, made by glacial erosion

Col = gap between peaks in a mountain range, used as a pass

Corrie = round hollow in a hillside

Dale = valley

Defile = narrow passage or gorge

Escarpment = steep slope or cliff formed by erosion (or faulting)

Fell = rocky or barren hill; a moor; cliff

Firth = narrow inlet or arm of the sea; estuary

Force = cascade; waterfall

Gill = narrow stream; brook; wooded ravine or glen

Hiatus = gap

Kirk = church

Mire = area of wet, soggy ground; bog

Oblique = 45 degrees

Rake = inclination from the perpendicular (overhang)

Sike = stream

Stile = step or set of steps over a fence or walk

Swale = hollow depression or low area of land

Tarn = small lake, especially one that fills a cirque

Tumulus = artificial mound, especially an ancient burial mound; barrow (heap of rocks or earth covering a grave)

Verge = grassy border, as along a road

Wicket = small door or gate, especially one set in or near a larger door or gate