pend oreille
pend oreille Lexical Profile
• noun
American A large, deep lake situated in the northern panhandle of Idaho, known as the largest lake in the state and historically used for naval submarine acoustic testing.
"We spent the summer weekend boating and fishing on the pristine waters of Lake Pend Oreille."
North American A major tributary of the Columbia River that flows roughly 130 miles through northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia.
"The Pend Oreille River provides critical hydroelectric power and diverse recreational opportunities to the surrounding rural communities."
North American A member of the indigenous Kalispel people of the North American Plateau, traditionally inhabiting the river systems of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia.
"The cultural heritage of the Pend Oreille includes a deep, historical connection to the natural resources of the Columbia River Basin."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, it is distinctly pronounced /ˌpɒnd əˈreɪ/ (pond-er-RAY), deviating significantly from its original French pronunciation.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Canadian French 'pend' (hangs) and 'oreille' (ear), originally given by 19th-century French-Canadian fur trappers to the indigenous Kalispel people, who traditionally wore large shell ear pendants.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.