fallow
n.n. a period of time when a field is left empty and not planted with crops. This helps the soil recover its nutrients before the next harvest.
n. a period of time during which a field is left uncultivated to allow the soil to recover its fertility. Often used in agricultural contexts to describe a systematic rotation of crops.
The farmer left the land fallow for a year to improve the soil.
After three years of growing wheat, the farmer allowed the field to lie fallow to prevent the soil from becoming too exhausted.
The traditional practice of maintaining a fallow period between harvests was essential for maintaining long-term soil health and preventing the depletion of organic matter.
[Alt: A photograph of a ploughed field.] From Middle English falwe, from Old English fealh, fealg (“fallow land”), from Proto-West Germanic falgu (compare Saterland Frisian Falge, West Frisian falig, felling, Dutch valg, German Felge), from Proto-Indo-European polḱéh₂ (“arable land”) (compare Gaulish olca, Russian полоса́ (polosá)).
From Middle English falowen, falwen, from Old English fealgian (“to fallow; break up land”), from Proto-West Germanic *falgōn (“to fallow”). Cognate with Dutch valgen (“to plow lightly; fallow”), German Low German falgen (“to till; dig a hole”).
[Alt: A photograph of a light brown deer.] From Middle English falwe, from Old English fealu, from Proto-West Germanic falu, from Proto-Germanic falwaz (compare West Frisian feal, Dutch vaal, German falb, fahl, French fauve), from Proto-Indo-European polwos (compare Lithuanian pal̃vas (“sallow, wan”), Russian поло́вый (polóvyj, “wan, light yellow”), Serbo-Croatian plâv (“blond, blue”), Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós, “grey”)), from Proto-Indo-European pelH- (“pale, gray”).