dam, noun
/dæ(ː)m/
- Origin:
- British English, South African English, Australian English, New Zealand English, South African English, AfrikaansShow more British English dialect, but standard in South African English, Australian English, and New Zealand English; reinforced in South African English by Afrikaans dam, in this sense.
A man-made pond or reservoir where rain- or springwater is collected for storage. Also attributive.
- Note:
- Used primarily of the reservoir and its contents: in South African English, the wall is seldom called the ‘dam’, but rather the ‘dam wall’ (see quotation 1912).
1826 G. Barker Journal. 12 Dec.Visited the Dam &c & was delighted with the quantity & quality of the water.
1991 F.G. Butler Local Habitation 52The success of his still incomplete dam had been in doubt...Now the dam was full of water.
A man-made pond or reservoir where rain- or springwater is collected for storage. Also attributive.
Visualise Quotations
Quotation summarySenses
Copyright © 2023 Dictionary Unit for South African English.