Dhoon

/ˈduːn/ noun

Definition

A valley or glen, especially in the Himalayan foothills of northern India, often used as a geographic term for specific regions.

Etymology

From Hindi धून (dhūn), derived from Sanskrit. The word refers to geographical depressions or valleys in mountainous terrain. It's particularly associated with place names like Dehra Doon in India.

Kelly Says

Dehra Doon is a major Indian city, and most English speakers don't realize they're using a Sanskrit-derived Hindi word every time they mention it! The word demonstrates how geographic terms get borrowed and then become so common we forget they're borrowed at all.

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