ˈwater-ˌmeadow
A meadow periodically overflowed by a stream. Also attrib.
| 1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husb. xiv. 187 This Thrash'd Hay..has been found more nourishing to Horses, than course Water-Meadow Hay. a 1789 Wimpey in T. Wright Meth. Watering Meadows (1790) 25 A water-meadow is laid out in arched lands similar to the segment of a circle. 1801 Farmer's Mag. Aug. 254 Water-meadows also, should never be ploughed. 1834 Brit. Husb. I. 529 The advantages arising from water-meadows are too well known to require elucidation. 1853 Dickens Bleak Ho. xlviii, On the river where the water-meadows are fresh and green. 1868 Morris Earthly Par., Man born to be King 1511 Fair with golden sheaves,..Gay with the water-meadows green. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. I. 19/2 As a preparatory step in the formation of water-meadows, it is often considered advisable to under⁓drain the field. |