irrigate
[ ir-i-geyt ]
/ ˈɪr ɪˌgeɪt /
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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.
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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
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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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, adjectiveirrigation, nounirrigational or irrigative, adjectiveirrigator, nounWord Origin for irrigate
C17: from Latin irrigāre, from rigāre to moisten, conduct water
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for irrigate
irrigate
[ ĭr′ĭ-gāt′ ]
v.
To wash out a cavity or wound with a fluid.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.