from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Valley \Val"ley\, n.; pl. {Valleys}. [OE. vale, valeie, OF.
val['e]e, valede, F. vall['e]e, LL. vallata, L. vallis,
valles. See {Vale}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains;
the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions
intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a
stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or
both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively.
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The valley of the shadow of death. --Ps. xxiii.
4.
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Sweet interchange
Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.
--Milton.
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Note: Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually
the results of erosion by water, and are called
{gorges}, {ravines}, {canyons}, {gulches}, etc.
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2. (Arch.)
(a) The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which
have their plates running in different directions, and
form on the plan a reentrant angle.
(b) The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on
a flat roof.
[1913 Webster]
{Valley board} (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead
gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead
gutter are not usual in the United States.
{Valley rafter}, or {Valley piece} (Arch.), the rafter which
supports the valley.
{Valley roof} (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See
{Valley}, 2, above.
[1913 Webster]