Understanding the Aqua Root Word and Its Applications

Definition & Meaning: Aqua Word Root

The root word Aqua comes from the Latin – Aqua, aqui, or aque, meaning ‘water’. This root is prevalent in numerous English words that pertain to water in various forms and contexts. For instance, the word aquifers refers to the underground layer of rock that yields underground water:

Aqui: Water
Fer: To bear
Aquifer: The underground layer of rock that yields underground water.

Thus, words with the root Aqua are primarily used to describe things related to water. Variants such as Aqui or Aque are also commonly used.

Example sentence: “We cannot bore so deep; aquifers are way below the ground level.”

Words Based on the Aqua Word Root

Commonly Used Words

Aquaculture: The cultivation of aquatic plants and the breeding of aquatic animals for food.
Aquarium: A small tank that houses aquatic animals.
Aqueous: Similar or related to water.
Aquatic: Growing or living in water.
Aquifers: Bed rocks that hold groundwater.
Aqueduct: A pipe or channel that carries a large volume of water.
Aqualung: Breathing equipment used during underwater diving or swimming.
Aquaplane: A single water ski.
Aquanaut: A scuba diver.
Aquarist: A person who looks after an aquarium.

Archaic Words

Aquavitae: A term for strong alcoholic spirits, historically referred to as “water of life”.
Aquatint: A printmaking technique, used mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries, that resembles watercolour washes.

Technical Words/Jargon

Aquaponics: A system of agriculture integrating fish farming with the cultivation of plants in water.
Aquiferous: Pertaining to or containing water, especially in the context of geology.
Aquiferous layer: A layer of rock or sediment that holds water and allows it to flow.

Related Word Roots

Hydro- (Greek: water)
- Hydrate: To cause to absorb water.
- Hydrology: The scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth.
Mar-/Mari- (Latin: sea)
- Marine: Relating to the sea.
- Maritime: Connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.
Ocean-/Oceano- (Greek: ocean)
- Oceanic: Relating to the ocean.
- Oceanography: The study of the physical and biological aspects of the ocean.

We can see how much easier it becomes to memorise any word if we can link it with something that we can never forget. That is the power of word roots, which can help us break down complex words and easily fathom their meanings.