-valle-

n.; pl. Valleys [ OE. vale, valeie, OF. valée, valede, F. vallée, LL. vallata, L. vallis, valles. See Vale. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ]

The valley of the shadow of death. Ps. xxiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sweet interchange
Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually the results of erosion by water, and are called gorges, ravines, canyons, gulches, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) (a) The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which have their plates running in different directions, and form on the plan a reentrant angle. (b) The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on a flat roof. [ 1913 Webster ]

Valley board (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead gutter are not usual in the United States. --
Valley rafter, or
Valley piece (Arch.), the rafter which supports the valley. --
Valley roof (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See Valley, 2, above. [ 1913 Webster ]