BharatNotes Effluent
noun; also adjectiveUsage in a UPSC answer
Unchecked discharge of untreated industrial effluent into the Ganga has rendered stretches of the river biologically dead, underscoring why the Namami Gange mission must pair sewage-treatment capacity with strict enforcement of the polluter-pays principle.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
effluence (n), efflux (n), effluents (n pl), affluent (adj/n), influent (adj/n)
Root
Latin ex- = out + fluere = to flow; effluere = to flow out; effluēns = present participle
Etymology
From Latin effluēns, present participle of effluere ("to flow out"), from ex- ("out") + fluere ("to flow"); first used in English in the 1720s.
Memory Hook
EF-FLU-ENT = "ex" (out) + "flu" (flow, as in fluid/fluent) — the stuff that FLOWs OUT of a factory pipe. Don't confuse with 'affluent' (rich): the affluent factory dumps effluent.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2025 — Ecology
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Effluent” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation
