I. ˈtrȯ]f sometimes ˈträ], chiefly by bakers ˈtrō, chiefly by Brit bakers ˈtrau̇, dial ]th or ]ft noun
( plural troughs ]fs, ]vz, ]ths, ]thz)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English trog, troh; akin to Old High German & Old Norse trog trough, Old English trēow tree, wood — more at tree
1.
a. : a large long and usually comparatively shallow open vessel that is often V-shaped in cross section and used especially to hold water or feed for domestic animals
b. : any of various containers used for some domestic or industrial purpose: as
(1) : a bowl, tank, or basin in which something is prepared or processed (as by kneading, washing, brewing, or tanning)
(2) : the vessel under a grindstone that holds water for cooling in grinding ; also : the place where a grindstone stands
(3) : pneumatic trough
(4) : a buddle or other vessel in which mining slimes are sorted in water
(5) : the vessel used for the plating bath in the electroplating process
c. chiefly dialect : tomb , coffin
d. chiefly dialect : any of various small boats (as a dugout) that somewhat resemble a trough for cattle
2.
a. : a conduit for water: as
(1) chiefly dialect : a walled drain
(2) chiefly dialect : a wooden channel forming the headrace of a mill
(3) : eaves trough
b.
(1) : a long and narrow or shallow channel or depression (as between waves or hills)
(2) : an elongated structural depression of the earth (as a graben, a geosyncline, a trench, or an ocean deep)
c. : a usually recessed channel enclosing and concealing utilitarian structural elements (as piping or wiring)
3.
a. : the part of a gravity wave or ripple on a liquid that is the lowest part of the oscillating surface at any given instant — contrasted with crest
b. : the minimum attained by a wave variable during the passage of a complete cycle: as
(1) : an elongated area of low barometric pressure usually with a minimum pressure at each end and between two anticyclones — opposed to ridge
(2) : the low point in a business cycle
(3) : a low part of a statistical curve that is between higher parts and is usually concave upward
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make into or treat in a trough