Meanderes

Meanderes is not a standard term in geography, geology, or typography; it is most likely a misspelling or alternative form of meanders, the plural of meander. The meander is a bend or curve in a river or other sinuous channel. Meanders form in low-gradient, unconstrained rivers where flow is able to erode and deposit material laterally. Erosion occurs on the outer bank of a bend where flow velocity is highest; deposition occurs on the inner bank where velocity is lowest, causing the bend to migrate downstream over time. In mature river systems, successive cutoffs can create oxbow lakes.

In addition to hydrology, meander also refers to a decorative pattern known as the meander or Greek key pattern, used in art and architecture as a continuous line shaped into a repeated motif. The term meander derives from the Meander River in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), noted by ancient geographers for its winding course.

Common usage: when encountered in text, meanderes is generally a misspelling; the correct plural is meanders or the appropriate form depending on context (the meander bend; the meanders of a river).

Origin and usage notes: The concept and name have branches in hydrology, cartography, and design. See also: meander, oxbow lake, river morphology, meander pattern, Greek key.