a bank or elevation of sand, which the sea gathers and forms along its shores, and which serves it as a barrier. The word is formed from the French dune, or the Celtic duna, a mountain. Charles de Visch (Compund. Chronolog. Exord. et Progress. Abbat. Clariss. B. Maria, de Duniis) says, Vallem repert arenarum collibus, quos incole Duynen vocant, undique cinetam.

It is also applied to a large open plain, primarily on elevated land.

Downs is particularly applied to a famous roadstead for ships along the eastern coast of the county of Kent, from Dover to the North Foreland, where both outward and homeward bound ships frequently make some stay, and squadrons of men-of-war rendezvous in time of war. It affords excellent anchorage, and is defended by the castles of Deal, Dover, and Sandwich.