Dung

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/dʌŋ/

Definitions

• (Noun) Animal excrement, often used as fertilizer.
• (Verb) To fertilize land using animal manure.

Usage Examples

• "The farmer spread cow dung over the fields to enrich the soil."
• "The stable needed cleaning due to the accumulation of dung."
• "They dunged the land before planting the new crops."

Etymology

From Old English "dung," meaning manure or excrement, related to Old Norse "dyngja" (heap of manure).

Synonyms

• Manure
• Excrement
• Droppings
• Feces

Antonyms

• Purity
• Cleanliness

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /dʌŋ/
• American English: /dʌŋ/

Historical Usage

Dung has been used for thousands of years as a natural fertilizer and fuel source, particularly in agrarian societies.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, animal dung is considered a valuable resource for agriculture, while in others, it may carry negative connotations related to filth.

More Information

Animal dung is not only used in farming but also in traditional building materials, biogas production, and even medicinal practices in some cultures.