weir Hear it!

weir definition

weir (wir)

noun

  1. a low dam built in a river to back up or divert water, as for a mill; milldam
  2. a fence, as of brushwood or stakes, built in a stream, channel, etc., for catching fish
  3. an obstruction placed in a stream, diverting the water through a prepared aperture for measuring the rate of flow

Etymology: ME were < OE wer, weir, dam (akin to Ger wehr) < base of werian, to defend, dam up < IE base *wer-, to shut up, cover

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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