Word of the Day - 07/24/26
xeriscape
/ˈzɪrɪskeɪp/(v.): landscape (an area) in a style which requires little or no irrigation
To conserve water, they decided to xeriscape their entire front yard with drought-tolerant plants and gravel.
Word Origin
The word 'xeriscape' is a blend derived from Greek and English. The prefix 'xeri-' comes from the Ancient Greek word 'xeros' (ξηρός), meaning 'dry'. The suffix '-scape' is borrowed from the English word 'landscape'. This term was coined in 1981 by the Denver Water Department to describe a type of landscaping that minimizes the need for water, particularly in arid or drought-prone regions.
Words with a similar origin, particularly sharing the 'xero-' prefix from Ancient Greek 'xeros' (dry), include 'xerography' (dry writing, referring to photocopying), 'xerophyte' (a plant adapted to dry conditions), and 'xerostomia' (dry mouth).