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

See Examples For:

shadoof

If he has stolen a shadoof or a plough, he shall give three shekels of silver.

From The Old Testament In the Light of The Historical Records and Legends of Assyria and Babylonia by Theophilus Goldridge Pinches

Not one of us but thrilled to the droning cry of the shadoof men on the brown banks, as the dripping water jars went up and up, tier after tier above the river level.

From It Happened in Egypt by C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson

The "shadoof" of today is the same in form as that used by the ancient Egyptians.

From Round the World by Andrew Carnegie

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 Maturin Murray Ballou

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 Sir Samuel White Baker