ˈespləˌnäd, -nȧd, -nād, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from Old Italian spianata, from feminine of spaniato, past participle of spianare to level, from Latin explanare — more at explain
1. : a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground ; especially : one designed for walking or driving and often providing a vista (as over water)
2.
a. : a clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of a town
b. : glacis
3. in Conn : a grassed and landscaped median strip on a highway