Catskill

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A mountain range in southeastern New York, part of the Appalachian system, known for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreation
2. Mountains located in New York State between the Hudson River and the Delaware River, famous for their forests, waterfalls, and resort areas
3. A range of peaks in New York characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and popular hiking and tourism destinations

Etymology: The Catskills are a mountain range in New York State, and their name is a piece of Dutch colonial geography that was later reshaped by English speakers. The Dutch called the stream "Kats Kill," combining "kat," meaning "cat," with "kil," a word for a creek or channel, and the linking "-s-" that Dutch often places between such elements. The name meant "Cat Creek," and the wider area the Dutch called the "Land van Kats Kill," or "Land of Cat Creek," took its name from that waterway. The spelling "Catskill" is the English form of that Dutch name. Other variants, such as "Kaatskill" and "Kaaterskill," appear as well, and these may be later attempts to make the name look more Dutch than the original spelling did.