Definition of winterbourne in English:
winterbourne
noun ˈwɪntəbɔːnˈwɪn(t)ərˌbɔrn
British A stream, typically on chalk or limestone, which flows only after wet weather.
Example sentencesExamples
- The ecology of true winterbournes results from their transient nature and information on their ecology is limited.
- The upper sections of many of the rivers and streams in northern and western Hertfordshire operate as winterbournes, with the effective source of the river moving up and down the valley with the seasons.
- As usual, winterbournes will fail and the stream network shrink through the summer but, in the event of continuing limited rainfall, the hydrological impact will be felt most keenly in streams draining impermeable catchments.
- The winterbournes were flowing from the chalk uplands of Wessex.
- Exceptional periods of rain can cause groundwater flooding from springs and winterbournes which inundate roads and overwhelm drainage systems.
Synonyms
brook, rivulet, rill, runnel, streamlet, freshet
Origin
Old English winterburna (see winter, burn2).
Definition of winterbourne in US English:
winterbourne
nounˈwin(t)ərˌbôrnˈwɪn(t)ərˌbɔrn
British A stream, typically on chalk or limestone, which flows only after wet weather.
Example sentencesExamples
- As usual, winterbournes will fail and the stream network shrink through the summer but, in the event of continuing limited rainfall, the hydrological impact will be felt most keenly in streams draining impermeable catchments.
- Exceptional periods of rain can cause groundwater flooding from springs and winterbournes which inundate roads and overwhelm drainage systems.
- The ecology of true winterbournes results from their transient nature and information on their ecology is limited.
- The upper sections of many of the rivers and streams in northern and western Hertfordshire operate as winterbournes, with the effective source of the river moving up and down the valley with the seasons.
- The winterbournes were flowing from the chalk uplands of Wessex.
Synonyms
brook, rivulet, rill, runnel, streamlet, freshet
Origin
Old English winterburna (see winter, burn).