fallow
UK[ˈfæləʊ]US[ˈfæloʊ]
adj
(of farmland) plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period in order to restore its fertility.
adj
(of a period of time) characterized by inactivity or lack of progress.
Etymology
the word "fallow" originates from old english fealgian, meaning "to break up land for sowing," which is related to fealh, "harrow." this old english term is of germanic origin, likely from a proto-indo-european root meaning "to strike" or "to cut." the concept evolved from the specific agricultural action to describe the land itself left uncultivated after plowing. over time, the meaning extended metaphorically to describe any period of inactivity or dormancy intended for future renewal.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
the farmer left the field fallow for a season to allow the soil to recover.
after writing her first novel, she went through a fallow period of several years.
the company's research department has been fallow, with no new patents filed recently.