WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Es`pla*nade"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. esplanade, Sp. esplanada, explanada, cf. It. spianata; fr. Sp. explanar to level, L. explanare to flatten or spread out. See Explain.]
Definition : 1. (Fort.) (a) A clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of the town. Campbell (Mil. Dict. ). (b) The glacis of the counterscarp, or the slope of the parapet of the covered way toward the country.

2. (Hort.)

Defn: A grass plat; a lawn. Simmonds.

3. Any clear, level space used for public walks or drives; esp., a terrace by the seaside.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913