esplanade

[ es-pluh-nahd, -neyd, es-pluh-nahd, -neyd ]

/ ˈɛs pləˌnɑd, -ˌneɪd, ˌɛs pləˈnɑd, -ˈneɪd /

any open, level space, especially one serving for public walks or drives.

Origin of esplanade

1675–85; < French < Italian spianata, noun use of feminine past participle of spianare < Latin explānāre to level; see -ade¹

especially, esperance, esperanto, espial, espionage, esplanade, esplees, espn, espoo, esports, esposito

He remained alone upon the esplanade, whence he continued to look towards the Ile des Morts.

Mathieu Ropars: et cetera |William Young
An esplanade, converted into a public walk planted with magnificent elms, overlooks the plain.

The Fortune of the Rougons |Emile Zola
And never so plainly as in the stately old drawing-room down on, Esplanade Street.

Bayou Folk |Kate Chopin
The poor fisherman was growing quite weary, when he one day strolled down to the esplanade.

Tales of Two Countries |Alexander Kielland

The Kacharies, our servants, were likewise requested not to play any more on the esplanade.

Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma, Bhootan, Afghanistan and The |William Griffith

esplanade

/ (ˌɛspləˈneɪd, -ˈnɑːd) /

a long open level stretch of ground for walking along, esp beside the seashore Compare promenade (def. 1)

an open area in front of a fortified place, in which attackers are exposed to the defenders' fire

C17: from French, from Old Italian spianata, from spianare to make level, from Latin explānāre; see explain