Chiltern

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A range of hills in southeastern England known for its natural beauty and wooded landscape ; a historic area noted for its chalk escarpments and rural character ; a designated region popular for walking, cycling, and outdoor recreation activities
2. An area of highland in southern England characterized by chalk hills and extensive woodland ; a countryside region famous for its scenic views and traditional English villages ; a protected landscape favored for leisure and nature exploration
3. A stretch of rolling chalk hills located in the southern part of England, noted for ecological and recreational significance ; a pastoral region distinguished by its wooded hills and chalk terrain ; a well-known natural area frequented for countryside pursuits and conservation efforts

Etymology: The Chilterns are a range of chalk hills stretching across the south of England, but the name itself is far older than the English language that now uses it. Its origin is unknown. It is thought to come from a Celtic place-name, probably one that referred to height, which means the hills were already named before the Anglo-Saxons arrived and gave their own names to the valleys and settlements around them. Much of the surrounding landscape carries English names, such as the many places that take their identity from the hills, so the Celtic name survives mainly in the range itself. That pattern is common in Britain, where the names of major landforms often outlasted the languages spoken near them, while newcomers named the smaller places they settled.