Vallis
/ˈvælɪs/noun
A valley or elongated depression, especially one identified on the surface of a planet or moon.
Did you know?In planetary science, Vallis is used in names such as Valles Marineris on Mars, a canyon system so immense it would dwarf Earth’s Grand Canyon.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
vallis
“A valley, vale, or low-lying hollow between hills”
Late Latin
Latin
vallis
“A valley; the term remained in learned and ecclesiastical usage”
12th–13th Century
Old French
val
“A valley or lowland, descended from Latin vallis”
14th Century
Middle English
vale
“A valley, especially in poetic or literary language”
17th–18th Century
Scientific Latin
vallis
“A valley-like geological feature used in anatomical and astronomical naming”
Modern English
English
vallis
“A named valley or elongated depression on a planetary body”