irrigate

(irə gāt′)

transitive verb irrigated, irrigating

  1. to refresh by or as by watering
  2. to supply (land) with water by means of ditches or artificial channels or by sprinklers
  3. Med. to wash out or flush (a cavity, wound, etc.) with water or other fluid

Origin: < L irrigatus, pp. of irrigare, to bring water to or upon < in-, in, to, upon + rigare, to water, moisten: see rain

Related Forms:

See irrigate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb ir·ri·gat·ed, ir·ri·gat·ing, ir·ri·gates
verb, transitive
  1. To supply (dry land) with water by means of ditches, pipes, or streams; water artificially.
  2. To wash out (a body cavity or wound) with water or a medicated fluid.
  3. To make fertile or vital as if by watering.
verb, intransitive
To supply land with water artificially.

Origin:

Origin: Latin irrigāre, irrigāt-

Origin: : in-, in; see in-2

Origin: + rigāre, to water

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Related Forms:

  • irˌri·gaˈtion noun
  • irˌri·gaˈtion·al adjective
  • irˈri·gaˌtor noun

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irrigate

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