Chine
/tʃaɪn/noun
A ridge or crest of land, especially a narrow steep-sided coastal valley; also, the backbone of a butchered animal.
Did you know?The landform sense of *chine* is especially associated with southern England, while the butchery sense comes from the idea of the animal’s back being split along the spine.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
cīn
“a cleft, split, or notch”
Middle English
ME
chine
“a ridge, cleft, or backbone”
16th Century
English
chine
“the backbone of an animal, especially when cut for cooking”
18th Century
English
chine
“a steep-sided coastal ravine or narrow valley”
Modern English
English
chine
“either a ridge or valley feature in coastal geography, or the backbone of an animal”