Dam
/dæm/noun
A barrier built to hold back water and create a reservoir or control flooding.
Did you know?The word 'dam' is linked to the ancient concept of 'taming the wild', reflecting humanity's desire to control nature and its forces.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰem-
“to build, to construct”
Latin
Latin
damnare
“to tame, to subdue”
Old French
Old French
dame
“lady, mistress, which reflects control or authority”
Middle English
Middle English
dam
“a barrier to water, derived from the Old French term”