sewage
UK: ˈsuːɪdʒ | US: ˈsuːɪdʒ
n. waste matter (such as human urine and feces) carried away in sewers
n. a system of sewers for draining waste
sewage = sew<drain> + age<noun suffix>
- sew (from Old French seu, meaning "drain" or "channel," derived from Latin exaquāre "to drain out")
- age (a noun-forming suffix indicating a collective or functional result, from Latin -aticum)
Etymology Origin:
The word "sewage" traces back to the Latin exaquāre ("to drain out"), which evolved into Old French seu ("drain"). Combined with the suffix -age, it formed sewage in Middle English, originally referring to a system of drains. Over time, it shifted to denote the waste carried by sewers, reflecting its functional role in sanitation.
The city upgraded its sewage system to prevent flooding.
Industrial sewage must be treated before disposal.
The smell of raw sewage overwhelmed the neighborhood.
Proper sewage management is crucial for public health.
The river was polluted by untreated sewage.