noun
Common
ea
EE
Ea (noun) means an old or dialectal word for a river or watercourse. Example: “The village takes its name from the ea that once ran through it.”
noun
1
An old or dialectal word for a river or watercourse.
"The village takes its name from the ea that once ran through it."
How to use ea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn archaic or regional term for a river, now mostly surviving in place names.
When to use it
Very rarely used outside place names or historical/dialect writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- eas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village takes its name from the _____ that once ran through it.
Etymology
From Old English ēa ("river"), related to Latin aqua and modern English "aquatic".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ea
See all rhymes for ea →Frequently asked questions
What does “ea” mean?
The word “ea” means an old or dialectal word for a river or watercourse. In plain terms, an archaic or regional term for a river, now mostly surviving in place names.
How do you pronounce “ea”?
“Ea” is pronounced EE (/ˈiː(ə)/ in IPA).
How do you use “ea” in a sentence?
Here is “ea” used in a sentence: “The village takes its name from the ea that once ran through it.”
What part of speech is “ea”?
“Ea” is a noun.
Where does the word “ea” come from?
The word “ea” comes from Latin. From Old English ēa ("river"), related to Latin aqua and modern English "aquatic".
Is “ea” a common word?
“Ea” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is ea a real modern English word?
Ea is not used in modern standard English; it survives only as an old or dialectal term for a river or watercourse. It mainly appears in historical texts, place names, and regional dialect studies rather than everyday speech.
Where does the word ea survive today?
Traces of ea survive in English place names built around rivers and water, since the word itself meant river or watercourse in earlier forms of English. It is rarely, if ever, used as a standalone word in contemporary writing.
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