shadoof

American  

[shah-doof] / ʃɑˈduf /

Or shaduf

noun

1. a device used in Egypt and other Eastern countries for raising water, especially for irrigation, consisting of a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other.

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shadoof British  

/ ʃəˈduːf /

noun

1. a mechanism for raising water, consisting of a pivoted pole with a bucket at one end and a counterweight at the other, esp as used in Egypt and the Near East

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Etymology

Origin of shadoof

First recorded in 1830–40, shadoof is from the Egyptian Arabic word shadūf

Example Sentences

Drawing water with the aid of the shadoof is said to be very hard work, especially in so hot a country as Egypt.

From Chatterbox, 1906 by Clarke, J. Erskine (John Erskine)

The commonest of these machines is the shadoof.

From Chatterbox, 1906 by Clarke, J. Erskine (John Erskine)

The man who works the shadoof stands near the water's edge, below the slender arm of the balance.

From Chatterbox, 1906 by Clarke, J. Erskine (John Erskine)

River, green plains, yellow plains, pink, brown, steel-grey, or pale-yellow mountains, wail of shadoof, wail of sakieh.

From The Spell of Egypt by Hichens, Robert Smythe

Steam, no doubt, is ultimately to drive out the shadoof, ancient as it is.

From Round the World by Carnegie, Andrew