tuolumne
tuolumne Lexical Profile
• noun
American A major river in central California that originates in the high Sierra Nevada, flows through Yosemite National Park, and joins the San Joaquin River.
"We spent the weekend white-water rafting on the rapids of the Tuolumne River."
American A county and historical region in the Sierra Nevada of California, noted for its Gold Rush history and vast natural landmarks like Tuolumne Meadows.
"Tuolumne County attracts millions of visitors annually who come to explore the pristine northern high country of Yosemite."
American A census-designated place and historic town in central California, originally established as a center for gold mining and later the timber industry.
"The historic logging museum in Tuolumne offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's early timber industry."
Word Nuance & Usage
Tuolumne is frequently mispronounced by those unfamiliar with California; the accepted pronunciation is 'too-ALL-uh-me', treating the 'n' as silent.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from a Native American term (likely of Central Sierra Miwok or Yokuts origin), widely believed to mean 'people who dwell in stone houses' (referring to local cave dwellings) or 'straight up steep'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.