Final answer:
A vale refers to a long depression in the surface of the land, similar to a valley, rather than a dry, flat area in a desert.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'vale' refers to a long depression in the surface of the land, often situated between hills or mountains, which may be formed by the action of rivers or glacial processes.
It is synonymous with valley, which is a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it.
While a 'playa' is indeed related to geographic landforms, being a dry, vegetation-free flat area within a desert that may temporarily fill with water to form playa lakes, it is a different concept than a vale.