irrigate
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ir·ri·gate

verb \ˈir-ə-ˌgāt\
ir·ri·gat·edir·ri·gat·ing

Definition of IRRIGATE

transitive verb
1
: wet, moisten: as
a : to supply (as land or crops) with water by artificial means
b : to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid (as in removing a foreign body or medicating)
2
: to refresh as if by watering
intransitive verb
: to practice irrigation
ir·ri·ga·tor \ˈir-ə-ˌgā-tər\ noun

Examples of IRRIGATE

  1. The surgeon irrigated the wound.
  2. <if you get the chemical in your eye, irrigate the eye thoroughly with water>

Origin of IRRIGATE

Latin irrigatus, past participle of irrigare, from in- + rigare to water; perhaps akin to Old High German regan rain — more at rain
First Known Use: 1615

Related to IRRIGATE

Rhymes with IRRIGATE

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ir·ri·gate

transitive verb \ˈir-ə-ˌgāt\   (Medical Dictionary)
ir·ri·gat·ed; ir·ri·gat·ing

Medical Definition of IRRIGATE

: to flush (a body part) with a stream of liquid <irrigate the wound with saline to remove debris> <the eye was irrigated for 10 minutes following chemical exposure>
ir·ri·ga·tion \ˌir-ə-ˈgā-shən\ (audio pronunciation) noun

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