Changes

==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

: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.

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]]'.

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.

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]