A borrow ditch is a type of drainage ditch that is dug alongside a road or railway track. It is designed to provide a place for excess water to flow and prevent flooding on the road or track. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of borrow ditch, its origin, and the various associations, synonyms, and antonyms associated with it.
Definitions
A borrow ditch is a type of drainage ditch that is dug alongside a road or railway track. It is designed to provide a place for excess water to flow and prevent flooding on the road or track. The term “borrow” refers to the fact that the soil dug from the ditch is often used to build up the road or track.
Origin
The term “borrow ditch” has its origins in the construction of roads and railways. When building these infrastructure projects, workers would often need to dig ditches to provide drainage. The soil dug from these ditches was often used to build up the road or track, hence the term “borrow”. Over time, the term “borrow ditch” came to refer specifically to these drainage ditches.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Different dictionaries have slightly different definitions of borrow ditch. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a ditch dug alongside a road or railway to provide drainage and to furnish material for embankments.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a ditch dug alongside a road or railway track to provide drainage and to provide material for the construction of the road or track.”
Associations
Borrow ditch is often associated with road and railway construction. It is also associated with drainage and preventing flooding. In some cases, borrow ditches can also provide a habitat for wildlife.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for borrow ditch, including drainage ditch, roadside ditch, and railway ditch.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for borrow ditch, as it is a specific type of drainage ditch. However, a road or railway track without a borrow ditch could be considered an antonym.
The same root words
The term “borrow” in borrow ditch comes from the Old English word “borgian”, which means to borrow or lend. The word “ditch” comes from the Middle English word “dychen”, which means to dig.
Example Sentences
- The borrow ditch alongside the road prevented flooding during the heavy rain.
- The workers dug a borrow ditch to provide drainage for the new railway track.
- The borrow ditch provided a habitat for several species of birds and insects.
In conclusion, a borrow ditch is a type of drainage ditch that is dug alongside a road or railway track to provide drainage and prevent flooding. It is also used to provide material for the construction of the road or track. The term “borrow” refers to the fact that the soil dug from the ditch is often used to build up the road or track. The term has its origins in road and railway construction, and is associated with drainage and preventing flooding. There are several synonyms for borrow ditch, including drainage ditch and roadside ditch.