Dowse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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dowse
[daÊŠs ]
Definitions
searching for water
To dowse is to search for underground water or minerals, typically using a forked stick or a pendulum. This practice, known as dowsing, is based on the belief that a person can locate hidden resources through a sort of intuitive or magical process.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He can dowse for water with just a stick.
- Farmers often dowse to find sources of irrigation.
- She learned to dowse from her grandfather.
to extinguish
To dowse can also mean to extinguish or put out, as in a flame. This secondary meaning is less common than the act of searching for water or minerals but is still recognized.
Synonyms
extinguish, quench, snuff.
Examples of usage
- He doused the flames with water.
- Make sure to dowse the lantern before leaving.
- The rain doused the fire quickly.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Practices
- Dowsing is practiced in many cultures around the world, including in Europe and Asia, often passed down through generations.
- In some indigenous cultures, dowsing is considered a spiritual practice where the practitioner connects with nature.
Science and Skepticism
- More scientific investigations have shown that dowsing has no measurable psychological or physical basis when it comes to finding water.
- Despite skepticism, many people firmly believe in dowsing and claim to have successfully find water sources using it.
Historical Uses
- Historically, people have used dowsing in agriculture to locate water for crops, especially in arid regions.
- During the Middle Ages, dowsing was often used in mining to locate precious metals and gemstones underground.
Pop Culture
- Dowsing appears in movies and literature as a mystical ability, often tied to solving mysteries or finding hidden treasures.
- Popular depictions of dowsing can often be seen in stories about treasure hunters and adventurers.
Origin of 'dowse'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'dowse' originated from the 16th-century word 'dowsing', which means to lower or bring down.
- It is thought that 'dowse' may come from the English dialect word 'douse', which means to soak or drench.
The word 'dowse' originally comes from the late 19th century, derived from the word 'dowsing.' It is believed to have roots in the dialectical term 'dowsing' or 'dows,' which was used in England to describe the act of searching or seeking. The term gained popularity alongside the folk practice of dowsing, where individuals, often referred to as 'water witchers' or 'dowsers,' claimed they could sense underground water or minerals using tools such as forked sticks or rods. Over time, the practice has been viewed with skepticism within the scientific community, yet continues to hold cultural significance in various regions, often associated with folklore and traditional farming practices. The broader definition of 'to dowse' as 'to extinguish' or 'douse' traces its origins back even further, with connections to Middle English and Old French.