Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia - n. A swamp or swale: a
Spanish word used in Arizona and New Mexico, and to some extent
in California and Texas. Sometimes written cienega. “Off the
highway toward some bone-dry cienaga, a nameless desert road.”
“Or, again, they halted in some forest and hill encircled glen;
where the lush grass in the cienaga grew almost as high as
Croesus 'back, and the lilies even higher; and where, through
the dark green brakes, the timid deer come down to drink at the
beginning of some mountain stream.” “A moment, and a clear,
girlish voice called from among the trees that bordered the
cienaga, "Whoo-ee.” “Instead, he roamed aimlessly about the
vicinity of the camp -- explored the sycamore grove; climbed a
little way up the mountain spur, and down again; circled the
cienaga; and so came, finally, to the ruins of the house and
barn on the creek side of the orchard.” “Following the ancient
weed-grown tracks, he led them around the lower end of the
orchard; crossed a little stream; and, tu