A chine is a steep sided river valley where the river flows through coastal cliffs to the sea. Typically these are soft eroding cliffs such as sandstone or clays. The word chine originates from the Saxon "Cinan" meaning a gap or yawn.

The word is in use in central southern England; in Hampshire, Dorset and particularly the Isle of Wight. There are nineteen chines on the Isle of Wight including the popular tourist attraction Shanklin Chine.

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La Chine is also the French word for China and is unrelated to the English usage.