How Do You Spell POLDERS?

Pronunciation: [pˈə͡ʊldəz] (IPA)

The word "polders" refers to a low-lying tract of land that has been reclaimed from the sea. The spelling of this word may seem unusual, but it undeniably follows the pattern of Dutch orthography. The IPA phonetic transcription of "polders" is /ˈpɑldərz/, which reflects the Dutch pronunciation of the word. The letter "o" in "polder" is pronounced as a short "a" sound, and the following "e" is silent. The final "s" is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound, hence the plural form "polders."

POLDERS Meaning and Definition

1. Polders are defined as low-lying areas of land that are reclaimed from bodies of water, typically seas, rivers, or lakes, through the use of dikes, dams, or other protective barriers. These areas are commonly found in coastal regions or river deltas, where flooding poses a constant threat to the surrounding communities. The process of creating a polder involves constructing a system of embankments or dikes around the desired area, which allows the water to be drained or pumped out.

   Polders are crucial for land reclamation and water management, particularly in countries with extensive coastlines or large river systems. They serve as effective flood defenses, protecting human settlements, agricultural fields, and infrastructure from the destructive force of overflowing water. Additionally, polders create fertile and arable land for agriculture, as they often benefit from nutrient-rich sediment deposition during flooding events.

   These reclaimed lands are often characterized by their flat and grid-like patterns, as the construction of dikes creates artificial boundaries and water control systems. Polders are typically well-drained and feature an intricate network of canals, sluices, and pumping stations to regulate water levels and ensure proper drainage.

   The concept of polders can be traced back to ancient times, with significant examples dating back to Roman and medieval times. However, their importance and widespread implementation reached new heights during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, when the Dutch employed extensive polder systems to reclaim vast areas of land from the North Sea and major rivers like the Rhine and Meuse. Today, polders remain a critical feature of many low-lying coastal regions throughout the world.

2. The name given in Holland to the low fertile lands reclaimed from the sea by vast systems of dykes and embankments.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for POLDERS

• polfers
• polers
• poldera
• ploders
• poldres
• boldeus
• poizers
• goldels
• Poldears
• Poulders
• Poldires
• pelders
• Polderor
• Poderu
• oldeys
• Polieus
• popluers
• Wolderd
• Plloders
• Phederus

Etymology of POLDERS

The word "polders" originated from the Middle Dutch word "polder", which was derived from the word "polre" or "poldre". This Middle Dutch term has Germanic roots and is related to the Old Frisian word "polder" and Old High German word "phultra". These Germanic words ultimately trace back to the Proto-Germanic word "*fuldrą".

The b and d sounds switch in various Germanic languages due to a linguistic phenomenon known as the High German consonant shift. This shift caused the original "b" sound in Proto-Germanic to become a "p" sound in Old High German. Therefore, the Middle Dutch "polder" corresponds to Old High German's "phultra" and Proto-Germanic "*fuldrą".