trough

/trɔf/

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The word "trough" is a noun and can have several meanings. Let's break it down to make it easier to understand.

Basic Definition:

1. Feeding Container: A trough is often a long, narrow container where animals like cattle or horses eat their food. Think of it as a long bowl for feeding animals.

2. Concave Shape: It can also refer to a shape that is low in the middle and higher on the sides, like a dip or a valley.

3. Rainwater Channel: In buildings, a trough can be a channel that collects rainwater from the roof and directs it away, usually called a gutter.

4. Narrow Depression: In geography, a trough can mean a low area in the ground or between waves in the ocean.

Usage Instructions:

• When using "trough," think about the context. If you're talking about animals, it's likely about feeding. If you're discussing geography or weather, it could refer to a shape or channel.

Examples:

• Animal Feeding: "The farmer filled the trough with hay so the cows could eat."
• Geographical Feature: "The hiker walked through a trough between two hills."
• Rainwater Channel: "The roof has a trough to prevent water from pooling."

Advanced Usage:

• In economics, "trough" can refer to the lowest point of a business cycle, when economic activity is at its lowest before it begins to rise again.
  • Example: "The economy hit a trough last year, but it is starting to recover now."

Word Variants:

• The word "trough" itself does not have many direct variants, but you might see related terms like "troughing" (the act of forming a trough) or "trough-like" (something that resembles a trough).

Different Meanings:

• As mentioned, "trough" can refer to various contexts: animal feeding, shapes in geography, channels for water, and economic cycles.

Synonyms:

• For the animal feeding context: "feed bin," "feed trough."
• For the geographical context: "depression," "valley."
• For the water channel: "gutter."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "trough," but you might hear it in broader economic discussions, such as "from trough to peak," meaning from a low point to a high point.

Summary:

In summary, "trough" is a versatile word that can describe a feeding container for animals, a shape, a water channel, or a low point in economic terms.

Academic

Noun

1. a container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
2. a long narrow shallow receptacle
3. a treasury for government funds
4. a concave shape with an open top
5. a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
6. a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)

Synonyms

• manger
• public treasury
• till
• bowl
• gutter