cauce

riverbed

noun KOW-seh Rare

Origin: from Latin calix, 'cup, water channel'

Also means

channel

Usage Note

Cauce refers to the natural bed of a river or stream, and by extension any channel that guides a flow. Figuratively, dar cauce a means to give an outlet or channel to something, as in dar cauce a las quejas ('to provide a channel for complaints'). Distinguish from canal, which is typically man-made.

Examples

"El río desbordó su cauce tras las lluvias."

Natural Translation

The river overflowed its bed after the rains.

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