oxbow

• Nom désignant un méandre en forme de U d'une rivière, la terre entourée par ce méandre, ou une pièce de bois en forme de U servant à atteler les bœufs sous le joug.

A noun referring to a U-shaped curve in a stream, the land enclosed by such a bend, or a U-shaped wooden frame used as part of an ox yoke.

1. River bend landC1formal

   The land enclosed by a sharp, U-shaped curve in a river.

   Bras mort / boucle de méandre

   • The farmer's field was located on the fertile oxbow.
   • They built a cabin on the oxbow, surrounded by the river on three sides.
   • The oxbow provided excellent grazing land for the cattle.

2. U-shaped river curveC1formalscientific

   A pronounced, U-shaped bend in a river or stream.

   méandre abandonné (en forme de fer à cheval)

   • The canoeists navigated the tight oxbow with skill.
   • Over centuries, the river carved a dramatic oxbow through the valley.
   • The old map showed the river's course had changed, leaving an oxbow lake.

3. Yoke componentC2formal

   A U-shaped wooden frame that fits around the neck of an ox, used to attach it to a yoke for pulling loads.

   Joug à collier (élément en U)

   • The farmer carefully fitted the oxbow onto the animal's neck.
   • The oxbow was carved from a single piece of hardwood.
   • He repaired the broken oxbow before the plowing season began.

   Synonymesbow