Acequia - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An acequia is a community-operated irrigation ditch or canal, commonly found in Spain and the southwestern United States, used to distribute water for agriculture in arid regions.
Definition:
A community-operated watercourse for irrigation, common in Spain and the southwestern US.
Synonyms:
irrigation ditch, canal, water channel, aqueduct
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
drought, desert (contextual opposites)
Common Collocations:
ancient acequia, maintain the acequia, acequia system, acequia water rights
Derivatives:
acequiero (ditch tender), acequias (plural)
Usage Tips:
Use "acequia" to describe traditional irrigation systems in arid regions like New Mexico or Andalusia.
Common Phrases:
"acequia madre" (main ditch), "acequia law, " "acequia culture"
Etymology:
From Spanish, derived from Arabic "as-sāqiya" (the water carrier).
Examples:
- 1. The farmers rely on the acequia to water their crops.
- 2. Acequias are vital for agriculture in dry regions.
- 3. The village built an acequia to share water fairly.
- 4. Maintaining the acequia requires cooperation among neighbors.
- 5. The old acequia still runs through the valley today.