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artesian

adjective ar·te·sian \ (ˈ)är-¦tē-zhən \

Definition of artesian

:involving, relating to, or supplied by the upward movement of water under hydrostatic pressure in rocks or unconsolidated material beneath the earth's surface
  • artesian spring
  • artesian water
  • artesian pressure
—distinguished from subartesian

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Origin and Etymology of artesian

French artésien, literally, of Artois, from Old French, from Arteis Artois, region of northern France + Old French -ien -ian; from the wells of this type bored in Artois in the 18th century

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