DCHP-2
dalle [< Cdn F "trough, flume" < F "flagstone"] DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
THIS ENTRY MAY CONTAIN OUTDATED INFORMATION, TERMS and EXAMPLES
1 n. — Obs.
a smooth flume or artificial slide for floating logs.
- 1832 From the mill the deals are floated down a dall or trough to the basin for shipment, part of the distance being cut through soil and rock fourteen feet deep.
- 1834 (1955) The deals are floated down in a raised trough just wide enough for one to pass, which runs for miles across the country and terminates at the wharf. It is called a "dalle". God knows how they spell it.
2 n.
a fast-moving stretch of water over a relatively smooth bed.
See also: flat rapid riffle ((n.)) (def. 1c)
- 1789 (1801) I estimate its winding course to the Dalles eight miles.
- 1821 (1900) After 10 minutes paddling we came to a small Rapid which we run and in a few Minutes arrived at the Dalles or Straits between Rocks which is a Décharge of a few Paces.
- 1912 (1913) Northward along Nelson River went the concourse . . . turning westward into the chain of little dalles above Winnipeg . . . sweeping forward over portage and dalle. . . .
- 1963 They found Keveny above the Dalles of the Winnipeg River. . . .
3 n.
a narrow stretch of river between high rock walls, characterized by whirlpools, rapids, and treacherous currents.
- 1793 (1933) After passing a narrow Racy rapid named the Dalles we saw an Island on which . . . the Irroquois in former days . . . tried to cut off a strong Brigade of trading canoes.
- 1808 (1916) Dalle . . . a name given to where the river is contracted by high steep rocks.
- 1948 Another obscure appellative dalles is of Canadian origin although it is now for the most part used in the United States, particularly along the Columbia River.
- 1832 From the mill the deals are floated down a dall or trough to the basin for shipment, part of the distance being cut through soil and rock fourteen feet deep.