You can do it like this: ${(e):-\${PWD:h${N}}}
Yes that works, Thanks.
e Perform single word shell expansions,
Had to think about that for a second, but got it. Learned my something new for
today. :-)
Yes, the digit following :h has to be a literal digit, not an expansion.
Darn, it would have been nice, but your example is just fine.
Regards,
Jim Murphy