“ ravine Look up ravine at Dictionary.com 1760, “deep gorge,” from Fr. ravin “a gully” (1690, from O.Fr. raviner “to hollow out”), and from Fr. ravine “violent rush of water, gully,” from O.Fr. ravine “violent rush, robbery, rapine,” both ult. from L. rapina (see rapine); sense influenced by L. rapidus “rapid.” M.E. ravine meant “booty, plunder, robbery” from c.1350-1500. Cf. ravening.
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