Dowser Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dowser

[หˆdaสŠzษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

water divining

A dowser is a person who practices the art of using a divining rod or other method to locate underground water, minerals, or other hidden substances.

Synonyms

divining rod user, water diviner.

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Word Description / Examples
dowser

Use this term when referring to a person who uses a special tool to find underground water, minerals, or other hidden substances. This term is quite general and can cover different kinds of dowsing beyond just looking for water.

  • The dowser walked slowly across the field, holding the rod in front of him.
  • She hired a dowser to locate the best spot to drill a well on her property.
water diviner

This term is best used when referring specifically to someone who searches for underground water using dowsing techniques. It is a more specialized term compared to 'dowser'.

  • The village called upon a water diviner to find a new water source during the drought.
  • The water diviner's methods seemed unscientific, but they often produced results.
divining rod user

This term specifies the tool used by the person, emphasizing the method rather than the person themselves. Itโ€™s a more descriptive and less commonly used term.

  • As a divining rod user, he claimed to have found several hidden sources of water.
  • The divining rod user was brought in to help locate the underground spring.

Examples of usage

  • The dowser used a Y-shaped stick to find the underground water source.
  • Many farmers rely on dowsers to help them locate the best spots for digging wells.
Context #2 | Noun

person who searches for something

A dowser can also refer to a person who searches for something in a mysterious or intuitive way, often using unconventional methods.

Synonyms

finder, seeker.

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Word Description / Examples
dowser

Used to describe a person who uses rods or other tools to locate underground water, minerals, or other hidden substances. This is often associated with traditional or pseudoscientific methods.

  • The dowser walked slowly across the field, holding his rods outstretched.
  • They called in a dowser to help find the best spot to dig a new well.

Examples of usage

  • She was a dowser of lost objects, always able to find what others had given up on.
  • The detective was known as a dowser for the truth, always uncovering hidden secrets.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Beliefs

  • Dowsing has been a part of various cultures for centuries, including ancient Egypt and China, where it was viewed as a mystical skill.
  • In the 16th century, some scholars believed that dowsers were tapping into natural energies or earth spirits to locate water.

Psychology

  • Belief in dowsing can be linked to the human tendency to find patterns and seek control over uncertain situations.
  • Some psychologists suggest that the success of dowsing may stem from subconscious cues rather than any magical properties of the dowser's tool.

Science

  • Numerous scientific studies have failed to establish that dowsers can find water more effectively than chance.
  • Despite skepticism, some dowsers assert they've experienced genuine success, contributing to ongoing debates about the phenomenon.

Modern Applications

  • In contemporary settings, some dowsers also search for minerals, oil, and other resources, blending traditional techniques with modern exploration.
  • Dowsing isnโ€™t limited to water; practitioners sometimes use it to find lost objects or answer intuitive questions.

Origin of 'dowser'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'dowser' comes from the German word 'dowsen', which means to 'to seek or to guess'.
  • The practice is often referred to as 'divining' or 'water witching', combining elements of belief and folklore.

The term 'dowser' originates from the Middle English word 'dowsen', meaning 'to use a divining rod'. The practice of dowsing has ancient roots, dating back to civilizations that believed in the supernatural ability to locate water or minerals. While dowsing is often considered pseudoscience today, it continues to be used by some individuals for various purposes.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,344, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.