esplanade

Meaning

Noun

• A clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of the town.
• The glacis of the counterscarp, or the slope of the parapet of the covered way toward the country.
• A grass plat; a lawn.
• Any clear, level space used for public walks or drives; especially, a terrace by the seaside.

Related

Similar words

• promenade

Origin

• 1590s, from French esplanade ("clear, level space"), from Spanish esplanada (explanada), form of esplanar, from Latin explānāre, from which English explain; see also plain, and Italian spianata, from spianare.