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Glite Dictionary
aquifer

aquifer

25 6.9
A layer of rock, sand, or soil that holds underground water used by wells
  • noun
  • /ˈækwɪfər/
  • Specialized
: acuífero
  • The contamination of the aquifers now threatens agriculture in the region.
  • shallow aquifers
  • unconfined aquifer
  • groundwater in aquifers

They have a pristine water source that is an aquifer that comes up from the earth.

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Examples

  • In some rural areas, shallow unconfined aquifers are the only source of water available for private wells.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The sanitarium is built over an ancient aquifer... that offers uniquely rejuvenating qualities.

    A Cure for Wellness (2017)

  • So when it rains and the rain falls on our open space, it's filtered, it becomes part of the aquifer, part of the water system.

    FrackNation (2013)

  • Because the deficit comes largely from aquifer overpumping, it is often discovered only when wells go dry.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Scores of countries are overpumping aquifers as they struggle to satisfy their growing water needs.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Shallow unconfined aquifers are the only source of water for private wells in some rural areas.

    Academic text (2008)

  • LHDs, however, should remain vigilant in their management of contamination risks to the aquifer.

    Academic text (2008)

  • At the national level, 51 percent of all the water extracted from underground is from aquifers that are being overpumped.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Overpumping has largely depleted the shallow aquifer, forcing well drillers to turn to the region's deep aquifer, which isn't replenishable.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Farmers in the region rely on an underground aquifer to irrigate their crops during dry spells.

Surface Forms

aquifer singular
aquifers plural

Morphology

aquifer = aqua (semi-transparent) = aqua + fer

The form combines the Latin combining form 'aqua' (water), which is recognizable, with '-fer' ('bearing') which is not productive in modern English; learners may infer 'water-bearing' only if they recognise 'aqua'.

Etymology

The word aquifer comes from the Latin parts aqua 'water' and fer 'to carry'. You can see fer in words like ferry or transfer, which are about carrying. So think of an aquifer as a 'water-carrier' underground, a layer of rock or sand that holds and moves groundwater to wells and springs.