manure

¹ma·nure

transitive verb \mə-ˈnu̇r, -ˈnyu̇r\

ma·nuredma·nur·ing

Definition of MANURE

1

obsolete : cultivate

2

: to enrich (land) by the application of manure

— ma·nur·er noun

Origin of MANURE

Middle English manouren, from Anglo-French mainouverer, meinourer to till (land), construct, create, from Medieval Latin manu operare to perform manual labor, from Latin manu by hand + operari to work — more at operate

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with MANURE

abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure

²manure

noun

Definition of MANURE

: material that fertilizes land; especially : refuse of stables and barnyards consisting of livestock excreta with or without litter

— ma·nu·ri·al \-ˈn(y)u̇r-ē-əl\ adjective

Examples of MANURE

1. a bag of cow manure
2. fertilizers made from animal manures

First Known Use of MANURE

1532

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

manure

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Organic material that is used to fertilize land, usually consisting of the feces and urine of domestic livestock, with or without litter such as straw, hay, or bedding. Some countries also use human excrement (“night soil”). Though livestock manure is less rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash than synthetic fertilizers and therefore must be applied in much greater quantities, it is rich in organic matter, or humus, and thus improves the capacity of the soil to absorb and store water, thereby preventing erosion. Because manure must be carefully stored and spread in order to derive the most benefit, some farmers decline to expend the necessary time and effort. Manufactured chemical fertilizers, though more concentrated and efficient, are also more costly and more likely to cause excess runoff and pollution. See also green manure.