Pronunciation: [nˈɔːɹiə] (IPA) 
The word "noria" is spelled with a silent "i" in the middle. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /nɔːrɪə/. The "o" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, like "oh", and the "i" at the end is pronounced as "ee-uh." The "r" is rolled or trilled with the tip of the tongue, and the stress is on the first syllable. A noria is a type of water wheel used to lift water for irrigation or other purposes.
A "noria" refers to a traditional type of waterwheel that has been used for centuries to lift water from a river or well, and is primarily found in the Middle East and North Africa. The term "noria" is derived from the Arabic word "na'urah," meaning "beehive," due to the similarity in shape between the waterwheel and a beehive.
A noria typically consists of a large wooden wheel with multiple wooden compartments or buckets attached to its outer edge. The wheel is mounted vertically on an axle, allowing it to rotate when water flows into the buckets. As the noria turns, the buckets filled with water ascend along one side while descending on the other, causing the water to be lifted and poured into a trough or aqueduct for utilization.
Historically, norias were commonly employed for irrigation purposes, providing a sustainable means of watering crops and agricultural fields. They were ingeniously designed to harness the power of flowing water, utilizing the gravitational force to their advantage. Special mechanisms or counterweights were employed to ensure continuous rotation, maximizing the efficiency of water lifting.
While norias have been largely replaced by modern technology, they still hold cultural and historical significance in many regions. Some norias, preserved as symbols of heritage or tourist attractions, serve as a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of past civilizations. The utilization of norias not only showcases the resourcefulness of humans but also highlights their respect for water as a vital element for sustaining life and agricultural prosperity.
The word "noria" originally comes from Arabic, specifically from the word "nā‘ūrah" (ناعورة), which means "water wheel". The term was later adopted by other languages, including Spanish and English, to refer to a specific type of water wheel used in irrigation systems.
