VocabDictionary

dowsers

/ˈdaʊ.zərz/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Plural of dowser; individuals who practice dowsing, a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, or gravesites without the use of scientific apparatus.

Example Sentences:
  • Local dowsers were hired by the farmers to locate a viable spot for a new well on the arid property.
  • While many scientists dismiss the practice as pseudoscience, dowsers maintain that their rods react to subtle energy fields.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “dowsers”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Originating in the 16th century, the term is of obscure origin, likely related to the Middle English 'douse' (to strike or beat) or perhaps connected to the Cornish 'dows' (to find). It refers to the practice of 'divining' or 'water witching,' where practitioners use a Y-shaped twig or metal rods to locate underground water, minerals, or other hidden objects.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'DOWSers' as people who 'DOWn-search' for water hidden deep in the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions About “dowsers

1. What is the meaning of “dowsers” in English?

In English, dowsers (noun) is defined as: “Plural of dowser; individuals who practice dowsing, a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, or gravesites without the use of scientific apparatus.”.

2. How do you use “dowsers” in a sentence?

Local dowsers were hired by the farmers to locate a viable spot for a new well on the arid property.

3. What are English synonyms of “dowsers”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “dowsers”?

Originating in the 16th century, the term is of obscure origin, likely related to the Middle English 'douse' (to strike or beat) or perhaps connected to the Cornish 'dows' (to find). It refers to the practice of 'divining' or 'water witching,' where practitioners use a Y-shaped twig or metal rods to locate underground water, minerals, or other hidden objects.