freshet

/ˈfre-shət/ (ame, mw)

freshet — noun

1. a quick swell of water in a river or stream, usually after heavy rain or after s

1.名詞C2
釋義

a quick swell of water in a river or stream, usually after heavy rain or after spring snow melts on hills above.

例句

The April freshet swept three wooden bridges off the valley road near Hanna's farm.

freshet + cause (spring snow melt or heavy rain)

Villagers along the Tone River watched for the yearly freshet that follows the mountain thaw.

freshet linked to seasonal thaw

同義詞
  • flood

    everyday word; freshet is narrower and points to snowmelt or rain-driven overflow

  • spate

    British literary equivalent; same meaning, also rare

  • torrent

    stresses the speed and force of the water rather than its cause

反義詞

文法句型

freshet of [water/source]

用法筆記

Subject is almost always a river, stream, or named body of water. Distinguish from sense 2 (the small stream itself, present even in dry weather).

常見錯誤

❌A freshet rained on the village last night.
✅A freshet flooded the village after a night of rain.
💡a freshet is the rising water, not the rain itself.

2. a small flow of fresh water that runs through grass, woods, or rocks, often feed

2.名詞C2
釋義

a small flow of fresh water that runs through grass, woods, or rocks, often feeding a larger river.

例句

A clear freshet ran through the meadow where Idris let his sheep drink each morning.

freshet as a habitual feature of a landscape

Yuki followed a freshet through the birch trees until she reached the broader river.

freshet + path metaphor (followed, traced)

同義詞
  • brook

    common everyday word for a small stream

  • rivulet

    literary; emphasises slimness

  • rill

    very small, often through grass or rocks

文法句型

freshet running through [place]

用法筆記

Use when describing a small natural water source that exists all year, not a temporary surge. Contrast with sense 1, which is event-like and usually destructive.

常見錯誤

❌They drank from the river freshet at the kitchen tap.
✅They drank from the freshet that ran behind the farmhouse.
💡a freshet is outdoor flowing water, not tap water.

3. a quick burst of something arriving at one time, such as new ideas, money, visit

3.名詞C2
釋義

a quick burst of something arriving at one time, such as new ideas, money, visitors, or feelings, pictured as water rushing in.

例句

The award brought a freshet of donations to the children's hospital in less than a week.

freshet of [donations/funds] — financial influx

Anaya felt a freshet of relief when the doctor said the test results were clear.

freshet of [emotion] — sudden feeling

同義詞
  • surge

    everyday word; same shape of meaning but plainer register

  • flood

    stronger, suggests overwhelming amount

  • rush

    stresses speed; freshet adds a literary tone

反義詞
  • trickle

    tiny amount over time, opposite of a quick wave

文法句型

a freshet of [noun]

用法筆記

Always followed by 'of' + an uncountable or plural noun. The thing arriving must come in a single quick wave, not a steady stream.

常見錯誤

❌There was a freshet of rain all month.
✅There was a freshet of new orders after the magazine review.
💡freshet (figurative) needs a sudden burst, not something steady or long-lasting.