water-hole

A deer drinks from a water-hole in the forest.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A natural depression in the ground that collects water: A "water-hole" is a shallow basin or hollow in the earth where rainwater or groundwater accumulates, often found in arid or semi-arid regions. It serves as a vital source of water for wildlife and sometimes for humans.

Usage Examples

• (A natural pool of water used by animals.)
• (A temporary depression filled with rainwater.)
• (A crucial water source in a dry landscape.)

Advanced Usage

• "to water at the water-hole": (rare, poetic) To drink or seek refreshment at such a spot.

  • The antelopes watered at the water-hole at dawn. (They drank from the natural pool.)

• "water-hole politics": (metaphorical) A situation where scarce resources are fiercely contested, similar to animals competing for a water-hole.

  • The negotiations became water-hole politics, with each tribe fighting for access to the river. (A competitive struggle over a limited resource.)

Variants and Related Words

• Waterhole (n): Alternative spelling of "water-hole," used interchangeably.

  • The waterhole was surrounded by animal tracks. (The same natural depression.)

• Watering hole (n): A more common term for a place where animals drink; also used informally for a bar or pub where people gather.

  • The lions approached the watering hole cautiously. (A place where animals drink.)

Synonyms

• Pool: a small body of still water.
• Pond: a small body of freshwater, often larger than a water-hole.
• Puddle: a small, shallow pool of water, often temporary.

Related Idioms

• "A drop in the water-hole": (rare) An insignificant amount compared to what is needed.

  • His donation was a drop in the water-hole for the drought relief fund. (A very small contribution.)

• "To drink from the same water-hole": To share a common resource or origin.

  • The two tribes drank from the same water-hole for centuries. (They shared the same water source and coexisted.)