The word "irrigate" is spelled with a double "r" and a single "g" because of its Latin roots. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈɪr.ɪ.ɡeɪt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "ir" is pronounced as a short "i" sound followed by a rolled "r", while the second "r" is also rolled. The "g" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound similar to "go". This word is commonly used in agriculture to mean the process of supplying water to crops to help them grow.
Irrigate is a transitive verb that refers to the act of supplying water to land or crops in order to promote their growth or productivity. The process of irrigating involves applying water to dry or arid areas through various means, such as channels, pipes, or sprinklers, to ensure adequate moisture for plants and soil.
Irrigation is an essential agricultural practice utilized in areas with limited natural water resources or during periods of drought. It helps maintain proper soil moisture levels, preventing dehydration of plants and the potential impact of insufficient rainfall. Ultimately, irrigation plays a vital role in providing sufficient water supply to sustain plant growth, crop production, and agriculture in regions where rainwater is insufficient or unpredictable.
Various irrigation methods are employed, such as surface irrigation, where water is distributed over the soil surface, or localized irrigation, which focuses water application directly to the plant's root zone. Techniques like drip irrigation or center pivot systems are also employed depending on the specific needs of the agricultural setting.
Beyond its agricultural context, the term "irrigate" can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of supplying or providing fluids to any system or body. For example, medical professionals may utilize this term to indicate the process of flushing out or cleaning a wound or body part with a liquid solution to aid in healing or remove debris.
Overall, irrigate serves as an integral concept in both agricultural and other fields, highlighting the critical practice of providing water to sustain growth or promote the well-being of plants, soil, or various systems.
To wash out a cavity with water or a medicated fluid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
To moisten land by causing water from a stream or canal to flow upon and spread over it; to water.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "irrigate" originated from the Latin word "irrigare". The root "ir-" means "in" or "into", and "rigare" means "to water". Hence, "irrigare" translates to "to supply with water". Over time, the word "irrigare" evolved into "irrigate" in English, keeping its core meaning of supplying water to land or crops.