kah-NAHT
QANAT An ancient underground channel system for irrigation, particularly common in Iran and other arid regions.
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
A qanat is an ancient Persian system of underground channels that transport water from aquifers in highlands to surface level in arid regions. This ingenious irrigation technology dates back over 2,500 years and represents one of humanity's most sustainable water management systems.
The construction of qanats requires remarkable engineering skill, involving a series of vertical shafts connected by gently sloping tunnels that can extend for many kilometers. The system works entirely by gravity, requiring no pumps or external power sources.
For Scrabble players, QANAT joins the valuable collection of Q-without-U words. Its 5-letter length and the presence of common letters like A, N, and T make it more playable than some exotic Q words, while still offering substantial point value.
Qanats remain in use today across Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other regions, providing water for irrigation and human consumption. UNESCO recognizes several qanat systems as World Heritage sites, acknowledging their cultural and technological significance.
The word 'qanat' comes from Persian, where it has been used for millennia to describe these water channels. The technology likely originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) around 500-800 BCE. The word entered English through academic and technical literature about Middle Eastern water management systems. Alternative spellings include 'kanat' and 'khanat,' though 'qanat' is most common in English.
Words with similar meaning
AQUEDUCT
Water channel system
CONDUIT
Channel for fluids
IRRIGATION
Water supply system
CHANNEL
Water passage
Words with opposite meaning
WELL
Vertical water source
SPRING
Natural water source
DAM
Water barrier
Plural Form
qanats
Related Terms
Network of underground channels
Water distribution via qanats
Historical water channel
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 3
Other high-scoring 5-letter words (Scrabble)
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"The ancient qanat still supplies water to the village after 2,000 years of continuous use."
"Engineers studied the qanat system to understand sustainable water management techniques."
"In Scrabble, QANAT can be built from QA- or -NAT, offering strategic flexibility."
Qanats represent one of humanity's most sustainable technologies, enabling civilization to flourish in arid regions for millennia. They've shaped settlement patterns, agricultural practices, and social structures across Central Asia and the Middle East. Modern engineers study qanats as models for sustainable water management in an era of climate change.
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