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trough
9 dictionary results for: trough
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
trough       [trawf, trof or, sometimes, trawth, troth] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.a long, narrow, open receptacle, usually boxlike in shape, used chiefly to hold water or food for animals.
2.any of several similarly shaped receptacles used for various commercial or household purposes.
3.a channel or conduit for conveying water, as a gutter under the eaves of a building for carrying away rain water.
4.any long depression or hollow, as between two ridges or waves.
5.Oceanography. a long, wide, and deep depression in the ocean floor having gently sloping sides, wider and shallower than a trench. Compare trench (def. 4).
6.Meteorology. an elongated area of relatively low pressure.
7.the lowest point, esp. in an economic cycle.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE trōh; c. D, G, ON trog]

troughlike, adjective
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
trough       (trôf, trŏf)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
    2. Any of various similar containers for domestic or industrial use, such as kneading or washing.
  1. A gutter under the eaves of a roof.
  2. A long, narrow depression, as between waves or ridges.
  3. A low point in a business cycle or on a statistical graph.
  4. Meteorology An elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with a front.
  5. Physics A minimum point in a wave or an alternating signal.


[Middle English, from Old English trog; see deru- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
trough 
O.E. trog, from P.Gmc. *trugoz (cf. O.Fris., O.S., O.N. trog, M.Du. troch, Du. trog, O.H.G. troc, Ger. trog), perhaps ultimately from PIE *drukos, from base *dru- "wood, tree" (see tree). Originally pronounced in Eng. with a hard -gh- (as in Scottish loch); pronunciation shifted to -f-, but spelling remained.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
trough

noun
1. a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed) 
2. a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater [syn: gutter
3. a concave shape with an open top [syn: bowl
4. a treasury for government funds [syn: public treasury
5. a long narrow shallow receptacle 
6. a container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed [syn: manger

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
trough       (trôf)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The part of a wave with the least magnitude; the lowest part of a wave. Compare crest. See more at wave.
  2. A narrow, elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure occurring at the ground surface or in the upper atmosphere, and often associated with a front. Compare ridge.

Investopedia - Cite This Source - Share This

Trough

The stage of the economy's business cycle that marks the end of a period of declining business activity and the transition to expansion.

Investopedia Commentary

In general, the business cycle is said to go through expansion, then the peak, followed by contraction, and then it finally bottoms out with the trough.

Related Links

Recession: What Does It Mean To Investors?
The Ups And Downs Of Investing In Cyclical Stocks
The Stages Of Industry Growth
Peak-and-Trough Analysis

See also: Bottom, Business Cycle, Contraction, Expansion, Peak, Recession

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Oil Trough, AR (city, FIPS 51410) Location: 35.62949 N, 91.46123 W
Population (1990): 208 (92 housing units)
Area: 0.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 72564

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Trough

Trough\, n. (Meteor.) The transverse section of a cyclonic area where the barometric pressure, neither rising nor falling, has reached its lowest point.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Trough

Trough\, n. [OE. trough, trogh, AS. trog, troh; akin to D., G., & Icel. trog, Sw. tr[*a]g, Dan. trug; probably originally meaning, made of wood, and akin to E. tree. ? & 241. See Tree, and cf. Trug.]

1. A long, hollow vessel, generally for holding water or other liquid, especially one formed by excavating a log longitudinally on one side; a long tray; also, a wooden channel for conveying water, as to a mill wheel.

2. Any channel, receptacle, or depression, of a long and narrow shape; as, trough between two ridges, etc.

Trough gutter (Arch.), a rectangular or V-shaped gutter, usually hung below the eaves of a house.

Trough of the sea, the depression between two waves.

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