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Furrows: meaning, definitions and examples

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furrows

 

[ ˈfɜːrəʊz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

agriculture, landscape

Furrows are narrow trenches or grooves made in the ground, usually for planting seeds or for irrigation purposes. In agriculture, they are created to optimize water drainage and soil aeration for crops. Furrows can also refer to long, deep lines in surfaces such as soil, skin, or fabric.

Synonyms

channels, grooves, ridges, trenches

Examples of usage

  • The farmer plowed the field, leaving many furrows behind.
  • She noticed the furrows on his brow as he concentrated.
  • The landscape was marked by furrows of freshly tilled earth.

Word origin

The word 'furrow' originates from Old English 'furh' which means 'a trench, a ditch', and is related to the Proto-Germanic term '*furkhō', which implies a similar meaning of a groove or channel. This word is connected to the wider Indo-European root '*bhergh-', meaning 'to cut, to break', which relates to the act of creating a furrow in soil. Historically, furrows have been an essential aspect of agriculture, as they facilitate planting and managing crops. Over the centuries, the term has evolved to include metaphorical uses, denoting deep lines or impressions, often in reference to human expression, such as furrows of worry on a face.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,597, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.