WATER


Meaning of WATER in English

/ ˈwɔːtə(r); NAmE ; NAmE also ˈwɑːt-/ noun , verb

■ noun

1.

[ U ] a liquid without colour, smell or taste that falls as rain, is in lakes, rivers and seas, and is used for drinking, washing, etc. :

a glass of water

drinking water

water pollution

clean / dirty water

water shortages

There is hot and cold running water in all the bedrooms.

—see also bathwater

2.

[ U ] an area of water, especially a lake, river, sea or ocean :

We walked down to the water's edge.

She fell into the water.

shallow / deep water

In the lagoon the water was calm.

—see also backwater , breakwater

3.

waters [ pl. ] the water in a particular lake, river, sea or ocean :

the grey waters of the River Clyde

This species is found in coastal waters around the Indian Ocean.

4.

[ U ] the surface of a mass of water :

She dived under the water.

The leaves floated on the water.

—see also underwater

5.

waters [ pl. ] an area of sea or ocean belonging to a particular country :

We were still in British waters.

fishing in international waters

—see also territorial waters

6.

waters [ pl. ] murky, uncharted, stormy, dangerous, etc. ~ used to describe a situation, usually one that is difficult, dangerous or not familiar :

The conversation got into the murky waters of jealousy and relationships.

The government has warned of stormy waters ahead.

HELP NOTE : There are many other compounds ending in water . You will find them at their place in the alphabet.

IDIOMS

- by water

- it's (all) water under the bridge

- like water

- not hold water

- sb's waters break

- (like) water off a duck's back

—more at blood , blow verb , cold adjective , dead adjective , deep adjective , dip verb , duck noun , fish noun , head noun , hell , horse noun , hot adjective , pass verb , pour , still adjective , test verb , tread adjective

■ verb

1.

[ vn ] to pour water on plants, etc. :

to water the plants / garden

2.

[ v ] ( of the eyes ) to become full of tears :

The smoke made my eyes water.

3.

[ v ] ( of the mouth ) to produce saliva :

The smells from the kitchen made our mouths water.

4.

[ vn ] to give water to an animal to drink :

to water the horses

( humorous )

After a tour of the grounds, the guests were fed and watered .

5.

[ vn ] [ usually passive ] ( technical ) ( of a river, etc. ) to provide an area of land with water :

The valley is watered by a stream.

6.

[ vn ] to add water to an alcoholic drink :

watered wine

PHRASAL VERBS

- water sth down

••

WORD ORIGIN

Old English wæter (noun), wæterian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch water , German Wasser , from an Indo-European root shared by Russian voda (compare with vodka ), also by Latin unda wave and Greek hudōr water.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.