Vocabulary, Abridged
Lennox’s Horseshoe Bridge is one of my favourite local sights. It is on the Mitchell’s Pass, an old route up the Blue Mountains from Sydney, which was superceded 90 years ago or so. In its restored state, the bridge is postcard-picture pretty. Here is a picture I took last year, from underneath, looking south:
All this is apropos a discussion I had tonight with Adam and Ewan (friends from CEBS) about exactly how to describe the bridge. Merriam-Webster gives three meanings for Aqueduct:
1. a conduit for water;
2. a structure for conveying a canal over a river or hollow
3. a canal or passage in a part or organ
So Ewan and Adam, you were both right – the passage at the bottom of the bridge is an aqueduct. In my defence, I was a little bit right, too; an aqueduct is a bridge for carring water. However, Adam’s tremendous knowledge of human internals scores him bonus points for also knowing the third meaning. Well done Adam – I am not worthy and I apologise for doubting you.