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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.

acequia

/əˈseɪkjə/ /əˈseɪkiə/

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.

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