dal

n. a large genus of tropical trees having pinnate leaves and paniculate flowers and cultivated commercially for their dramatically grained and colored timbers.
Syn. -- genus Dalbergia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ AS. dæl; akin to LG., D., Sw., Dan., OS., & Goth. dal, Icel. dalr, OHG. tal, G. thal, and perh. to Gr. qo`los a rotunda, Skr. dhāra depth. Cf. Dell. ] 1. A low place between hills; a vale or valley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where mountaines rise, umbrageous dales descend. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A trough or spout to carry off water, as from a pump. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a genus of plants including the indigo bush.
Syn. -- genus Dalea. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Dalesmen One living in a dale; -- a term applied particularly to the inhabitants of the valleys in the north of England, Norway, etc. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. [ PJC ]

imp. of Delve. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ F. dalle a tube, gutter, trough. ] A rapid, esp. one where the channel is narrowed between rock walls. [ Northwestern U. S. & Canada ]

The place below, where the compressed river wound like a silver thread among the flat black rocks, was the far-famed Dalles of the Columbia. F. H. Balch. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ From Dally. ] 1. The act of dallying, trifling, or fondling; interchange of caresses; wanton play. [ 1913 Webster ]

Look thou be true, do not give dalliance
Too much the rein. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, the dalliance and the wit,
The flattery and the strife! Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Delay or procrastination. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Entertaining discourse. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]