drought

Everyday

1. A long period of time with little or no rain, so the land becomes very dry and water is scarce. tree →
2. A long time without something that is needed or wanted: «a goal drought». tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons droughts cause crops to fail, rivers to dry up and animals to suffer; they are linked to bushfires in Australia. In everyday life, a drought can bring «hosepipe bans» (UK) and water restrictions. In sport talk, a «goal drought» means a team has not scored for a long time. Phrases: «severe drought», «in drought», «drought-resistant plants», «water restrictions».

Examples

• The drought dried up the farm dam. tree →
• Many crops died during the drought. tree →
• Cacti are drought-resistant plants. tree →
• There's a hosepipe ban because of the drought. tree →
• (Australia) Farmers struggled through a long drought. tree →
• The striker ended his goal drought with a brilliant header. tree →
• When a drought was impending, he scattered the peasant's seed-corn over a swamp; when a wet season was at hand, he sowed the slopes of the hills. tree →

Note

Pronounced «drowt» (rhymes with «out»), not «drot». The «gh» is silent. Do not confuse with «draught» (UK: a cold current of air) or «drought» with «flood» (its opposite). In maths, drought problems often use rainfall data: compare monthly totals to the usual average.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Drought is listed among the curses for not keeping the covenant, and rain is a gift for obedience. In the primary lessons: In geography and science lessons droughts cause crops to fail, rivers to dry up and animals to suffer; they are linked to bushfires in Australia. In everyday life, a drought can bring «hosepipe bans» (UK) and water restrictions. In sport talk, a «goal drought» means a team has not scored for a long time. Phrases: «severe drought», «in drought», «drought-resistant plants», «water restrictions».

Examples

• Thus I was: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from mine eyes. (Torah GEN.31.40, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD will smite thee with consumption, and with fever, and with inflammation, and with fiery heat, and with drought, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. (Torah DEU.28.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts. (Prophets JER.14.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. (Prophets HOS.13.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so doth the nether-world those that have sinned. (Writings JOB.24.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronounced «drowt» (rhymes with «out»), not «drot». The «gh» is silent. Do not confuse with «draught» (UK: a cold current of air) or «drought» with «flood» (its opposite). In maths, drought problems often use rainfall data: compare monthly totals to the usual average.