arid
UK[ˈærɪd]US[ˈærɪd]
adj
(of land or a climate) having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation.
adj
lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning.
Etymology
The word "arid" entered English in the mid-17th century, directly from the French "aride" or Latin "aridus," meaning dry, parched, or thirsty. This Latin adjective derives from the verb "arēre," which means "to be dry or parched." The ultimate origin is the Proto-Indo-European root as-, meaning "to burn, glow." The semantic journey is a clear and logical progression from the concept of burning heat, which causes dryness, to the literal meaning of extreme dryness, and finally extending metaphorically to describe anything barren, dull, or lacking in vitality.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
the cactus is uniquely adapted to survive in the arid desert environment.
years of drought had transformed the fertile plains into an arid wasteland.
the lecture was so arid that half the audience fell asleep.