ghat

See also: ȝhat

English

Alternative forms

• (a ravine leading to the sea): ghaut

Etymology

From Hindi घाट (ghāṭ, “pier”), from Sanskrit घट्ट (ghaṭṭa, “a landing-place, steps on the side of a river leading to the waters”). Perhaps related to Telugu కట్ట (kaṭṭa, “dam, embankment”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡɔːt/, /ɡɑːt/
• Rhymes: -ɔːt

Noun

ghat (plural ghats)

1. (India) A descending path or stairway to a river; a ford or landing-place.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of J. D. Hooker to this entry?)

   • 2008, Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger, Atlantic 2009, p. 16:

     Chunks of wood were being built into funeral pyres on the steps of the ghat that went down into the water; four bodies were burning on the ghat steps when we got there.

2. (India) A mountain range.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Balfour (Cyc. of India) to this entry?)

3. (India) A mountain pass.
4. A steep ravine leading to the sea.
5. (India) A burning-ghat.

Anagrams

• GTHA