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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| French, from promener to take for a walk, from Middle French, alteration of Old French pourmener, from pour- completely (from [[Latin]] pro-) + mener to [[lead]] | | French, from promener to take for a walk, from Middle French, alteration of Old French pourmener, from pour- completely (from [[Latin]] pro-) + mener to [[lead]] |
− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1648] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1648] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 : a place for strolling | | *1 : a place for strolling |
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| :b : a figure in a square dance in which couples move counterclockwise in a [[circle]] | | :b : a figure in a square dance in which couples move counterclockwise in a [[circle]] |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | An ''esplanade'' is a long, open, level area, usually next to a [[river]] or large [[body]] of [[water]], where people may walk. This allows people to promenade along the sea front, usually for recreational [[purposes]], whatever the [[state]] of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era Victorian times] when it was [[fashion]]able to visit seaside resorts. | + | An ''esplanade'' is a long, open, level area, usually next to a [[river]] or large [[body]] of [[water]], where people may walk. This allows people to promenade along the sea front, usually for recreational [[purposes]], whatever the [[state]] of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era Victorian times] when it was [[fashion]]able to visit seaside resorts. |
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| The [[original]] [[meaning]] of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or [[city]] walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress against incoming infantry or artillery. Esplanade and '''promenade''' are sometimes used interchangeably, but that is a mistake. A promenade can be anywhere, and it is exclusively for walking, while an esplanade is for walking but also can include large boulevards or avenues with cars. A Promenade, often abbreviated to '(The) Prom', was an area where people - couples and [[families]] especially - would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be [[considered]] part of '[[society]]'. | | The [[original]] [[meaning]] of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or [[city]] walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress against incoming infantry or artillery. Esplanade and '''promenade''' are sometimes used interchangeably, but that is a mistake. A promenade can be anywhere, and it is exclusively for walking, while an esplanade is for walking but also can include large boulevards or avenues with cars. A Promenade, often abbreviated to '(The) Prom', was an area where people - couples and [[families]] especially - would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be [[considered]] part of '[[society]]'. |
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− | A similar term with the same [[meaning]] in the eastern coastal region of Spain is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rambla rambla], but more widely referred to as paseo marítimo (esplanade), paseo (promenade) or explanada (esplanade) in the Hispanic world. | + | A similar term with the same [[meaning]] in the eastern coastal region of Spain is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rambla rambla], but more widely referred to as paseo marítimo (esplanade), paseo (promenade) or explanada (esplanade) in the Hispanic world. |
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| [[Category: General Reference]] | | [[Category: General Reference]] |