irrigate
[ ir-i-geyt ]
/ ˈɪr ɪˌgeɪt /
verb (used with object), ir·ri·gat·ed, ir·ri·gat·ing.
to supply (land) with water by artificial means, as by diverting streams, flooding, or spraying.
Medicine/Medical.
to supply or wash (an orifice, wound, etc.) with a spray or a flow of some liquid.
to moisten; wet.
Origin of irrigate
1605–15; < Latin
irrigātus, past participle of
irrigāre to wet, flood, nourish with water, equivalent to
ir-
ir-1 +
rigā- (stem of
rigāre to provide with water, soak) +
-tus past participle suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM irrigate
Words nearby irrigate
Example sentences from the Web for irrigate
British Dictionary definitions for irrigate
irrigate
/ (ˈɪrɪˌɡeɪt) /
verb
to supply (land) with water by means of artificial canals, ditches, etc, esp to promote the growth of food crops
med
to bathe or wash out a bodily part, cavity, or wound
(tr)
to make fertile, fresh, or vital by or as if by watering
Derived forms of irrigate
irrigable, adjective irrigation, noun irrigational or irrigative, adjective irrigator, nounWord Origin for irrigate
C17: from Latin
irrigāre, from
rigāre to moisten, conduct water
Medical definitions for irrigate
irrigate
[ ĭr′ĭ-gāt′ ]
v.
To wash out a cavity or wound with a fluid.