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CUESTA

 - 3 dictionary results

cues⋅ta

  [kwes-tuh]
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–noun
a long, low ridge with a relatively steep face or escarpment on one side and a long, gentle slope on the other.
Origin:
1810–20, Americanism; < Sp: shoulder, sloping land < L costa side (of a hill), rib; see coast
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cues·ta   (kwěs'tə)   
n.  A ridge with a gentle slope on one side and a cliff on the other.

[Spanish, from Latin costa, side; see kost- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

cuesta

physical feature that has a steep cliff or escarpment on one side and a gentle dip or back slope on the other. This landform occurs in areas of tilted strata and is caused by the differential weathering and erosion of the hard capping layer and the soft underlying cliff maker, which erodes more rapidly. Cuestas with dip slopes of 40-45 are usually called hogback ridges.

Learn more about cuesta with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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