shadoof

American  

[shah-doof] / ʃɑˈduf /

Or shaduf

noun

1. a device used in Egypt and other Eastern countries for raising water, especially for irrigation, consisting of a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other.

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shadoof British  

/ ʃəˈduːf /

noun

1. a mechanism for raising water, consisting of a pivoted pole with a bucket at one end and a counterweight at the other, esp as used in Egypt and the Near East

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Etymology

Origin of shadoof

First recorded in 1830–40, shadoof is from the Egyptian Arabic word shadūf

Example Sentences

The camp of the "Forty Thieves" had been finished some time since: the gardens were flourishing, and I erected a "shadoof," or Egyptian double bucket and lever for irrigation.

From Ismailia by Baker, Samuel White, Sir

The man who works the shadoof stands near the water's edge, below the slender arm of the balance.

From Chatterbox, 1906 by Clarke, J. Erskine (John Erskine)

This is the shadoof, the same which was used in the time of Moses.

From From Egypt to Japan by Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)

Here we began to see small herds of brown buffaloes, and peasants plying the irrigating buckets of the shadoof.

From Due West or Round the World in Ten Months by Ballou, Maturin Murray

Carved upon limestone and granite, now it seems engraven also on every Egyptian heart that beats not only with the movement of shadoof, or is not buried in the black soil fertilized by Hapi.

From The Spell of Egypt by Hichens, Robert Smythe