Beaverkill

/ˈbiːvərˌkɪl/ noun

Definition

A stream, river, or waterway known for the presence of beavers or historically associated with beaver trapping; a geographical term.

Etymology

Compound of beaver and kill (from Dutch kil meaning 'stream' or 'channel'), used especially in place names in New York and New England where Dutch colonial influence was strong.

Kelly Says

This word is a linguistic fossil from Dutch colonial America—'kill' is a Dutch word that English colonists adopted wholesale into their place names, and Beaverkill (a famous trout stream) shows how languages blend when cultures meet and trade becomes important.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.