gully

== English == === Pronunciation === enPR: gŭl'ē, IPA(key): /ˈɡʌli/ Rhymes: -ʌli === Etymology 1 === Origin uncertain. Possibly from a variant of Middle English golet (“esophagus, gullet”), from Old French goulet, from Latin gula (“throat”). Shift in meaning in Middle English to "water channel, ravine" may have been influenced by Middle English gylle, gille, galle (“deep narrow valley, ravine”); see gill. Compare Dutch geul. Alternatively, from a diminutive of dialectal gull (“fissue, chasm”) +‎ -y (diminutive suffix). See gull, gullick. ==== Noun ==== gully (plural gullies) A trench, ravine or narrow channel which was worn by water flow, especially on a hillside. Synonym: gill A small valley. (UK) A drop kerb. A road drain. (cricket) A fielding position on the off side about 30 degrees behind square, between the slips and point; a fielder in such a position Synonym: box (UK) A grooved iron rail or tram plate. ===== Alternative forms ===== gulley ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== gullet ===== Descendants ===== → French: gollé → German: Gully ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== gully (third-person singular simple present gullies, present participle gullying, simple past and past participle gullied) (obsolete) To flow noisily. (transitive) To wear away into a gully or gullies. ===== References ===== === Etymology 2 === From Scots gully, of unknown origin. ==== Noun ==== gully (plural gullies) (Scotland, northern UK) A large knife. === Further reading === gully on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Gullies And Other Knives === See also === hully gully (probably etymologically unrelated) == Scots == === Etymology === Unknown. === Noun === gully (plural gullies) large knife God than he lewch and owre the dyk lap, / And owt of his scheith his gully owtgatt. (The Bannatyne Manuscript)