Dale - Definition and Overview

In physical geography, a dale is an open valley. The name occurs particularly frequently in the Lowlands of Scotland and in the North of England, where the term "fell" commonly refers to the mountains or hills that flank the dale.

"Dale", the native English word, equates to usages in other areas such as the term "valley", a word which dates only from the Norman Conquest.

Placenames incorporating dale:

• Annandale
• Lauderdale
• Rochdale in England
• Teesdale in England
• Yorkshire Dales in England
• Clydesdale in Scotland
• Liddesdale in Scotland
• Teviotdale in Scotland
• Dale, Indiana, USA
• Dale, Pennsylvania, USA
• Dale, Wisconsin, USA
• Dale, Pembrokeshire, Wales

See also:

• Samuel Dale, scientist (1659?–1739)
• Dale (Middle-earth)
• The Dales, a BBC radio soap opera originally called Mrs Dale's Diary
• Dale Gribble on King of the Hill, a paranoia-bound character who believes in crazy things along the lines of the Soviets messing with headsets.