vale
vale Lexical Profile
vale Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A wide, gently sloping valley located between hills or mountains, often traversed by a river or stream (used primarily in place names and literary contexts).
"From the ridge of the hill, the hikers looked down across the green vale stretching toward the distant river."
A formal or literary farewell, leave-taking, or commemorative tribute.
"The retiring dean offered a heartfelt vale to his colleagues at the conclusion of the banquet."
• interjection
Used as a formal or literary expression of farewell, especially in an obituary or tribute to someone who has died.
"The university newsletter published a moving tribute that began with the words, "Vale, Professor Henderson.""
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'vale' (a valley or a formal farewell) with its homophone 'veil' (a piece of fine fabric worn over the face or head).
• Rhymes for vale
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The geographic sense comes via Old French 'val' from Latin 'vallis' ('valley'). The farewell sense is borrowed directly from the Latin imperative 'valē' ('be well'), from the verb 'valēre' ('to be strong or healthy').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.