annicut
Definition
- Noun:
- A dam or weir for regulating water flow: "annicut" refers to a dam or barrier constructed across a river or stream, primarily used in irrigation systems to control and divert water for agricultural purposes. This term is especially common in the Indian subcontinent.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The ancient annicut on the Kaveri River still provides water for thousands of acres of farmland. (A dam used for irrigation.)
- Engineers inspected the annicut to ensure it could withstand the monsoon floods. (A weir regulating water flow.)
Advanced Usage
"Anncut system": a network of dams and channels used for irrigation.
- The annicut system in Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest in the world. (A network of irrigation dams.)
"Check dam" synonym: In some contexts, "annicut" is used interchangeably with "check dam," though it specifically refers to a stone or masonry barrier.
- The check dam, or annicut, was built to prevent soil erosion. (A barrier for water management.)
Variants and Related Words
Anicut (n): an alternative spelling of "annicut," more commonly used in historical texts.
- The anicut was constructed in the 2nd century AD. (A variant spelling.)
Weir (n): a low dam built across a river to raise the water level or divert flow.
- The weir functions similarly to an annicut but is typically smaller. (A related structure.)
Synonyms
- Dam: a barrier built to hold back water.
- Weir: a low dam for regulating water flow.
- Barrage: a dam with gates used to control water levels.
Related Idioms
- "To build an annicut": to create a structure for water control, often used metaphorically in development contexts.
- The government plans to build an annicut to support drought-prone regions. (Construct a water-management dam.)
Notes
- The word "annicut" is derived from the Tamil word "anaikattu," meaning "dam." It is primarily used in South Asian English, particularly in India and Sri Lanka, to describe traditional irrigation structures.