Dowse: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ง
Add to dictionary

dowse

 

[ daสŠs ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

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

detect, divine, search.

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.
Context #2 | Verb

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

Translations of the word "dowse" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคœเคฒ เค–เฅ‹เคœเคจเฅ‡ เค•เฅ€ เคตเคฟเคงเคฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wasser suchen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mencari air

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะพัะปั–ะดะถัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ poszukiwanie wody

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฐด่„ˆๆŽขใ—

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท radiesthรฉsie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท su bulma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆ˜๋งฅ ์ฐพ๊ธฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุจุญุซ ุนู† ุงู„ู…ุงุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hฤพadanie vody

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆŽขๆฐด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ iskanje vode

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vatnsleit

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ััƒ ั–ะทะดะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒงแƒšแƒ˜แƒก แƒซแƒ˜แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ su axtarฤฑลŸฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ dowsing

Etymology

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.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,674, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.