Correct spelling for the English word "naze" is [nˈe͡ɪz], [nˈeɪz], [n_ˈeɪ_z] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Naze is a colloquial term primarily used in British English that refers to a promontory or headland projecting into a body of water. It is commonly used in the southwestern region of England, especially in Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset, where many coastal features bear this name.
The word "naze" originated from the Middle English word "næs," which was derived from Old English "næss." It shares linguistic roots with the Old Norse word "nes," meaning "headland" or "cape."
Naze is typically characterized by its prominent and often elongated shape, extending from the coastline into the sea. It may vary in size and can be formed by the erosion of cliffs or by the deposition of sediment. Some well-known examples of naze include the Orford Ness in Suffolk, Naze Tower in Walton-on-the-Naze, and Portland Bill in Dorset.
Nazes often serve as natural landmarks for navigation along coastlines and are sometimes utilized as locations for lighthouses, lookout points, or nature reserves. These headlands can also be popular destinations for tourists, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding coastal landscapes.
In summary, a naze is a coastal feature characterized by a projecting headland or promontory that extends into the water. The term primarily denotes such land formations in the southwestern region of England and is commonly used in British English.
• A cliff or headland.
• In geog., any promontory or sudden projection of land into the sea-common as a postfix in names of places and capes-as Shoeburyness, Fifeness, Dungeness.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "naze" originated from the Middle English phrase "at nae sīðe", which can be translated as "at no time". Over time, this phrase evolved into "at ane sīd" and later simplified to "naze". The origins of the word can be traced back to the Old English word "na", meaning "no", and "sīde", which means "time" or "occasion". Through linguistic changes, "at nae sīðe" eventually became "naze".