garden rake

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Word: Garden Rake

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A garden rake is a tool used by gardeners. It has a long handle and a flat head with many metal or plastic prongs (or tines) at the end. Garden rakes are used to gather leaves, level soil, and break up clumps of dirt in a garden.

Usage Instructions:

1. Gathering Leaves: Use the rake to collect fallen leaves into a pile.
2. Leveling Soil: After digging or planting, drag the rake across the soil to make it flat and even.
3. Breaking Up Soil: If the soil is hard or clumpy, use the rake to break it apart so that plants can grow better.

Example Sentence:

• "After the autumn leaves fell, I spent the afternoon using my garden rake to clean them up."

Advanced Usage:

• Technique: When leveling soil, you can use a "back-and-forth" motion with the rake to ensure an even surface.
• Maintenance: It’s important to clean your garden rake after use to keep it in good condition.

Word Variants:

• Rake (verb): To use a rake. Example: "I will rake the leaves tomorrow."
• Raking (noun): The act of using a rake. Example: "Raking the yard is part of my weekend chores."

Different Meanings:

• Rake (in slang): In some contexts, "rake" can refer to a dissolute or immoral man. This is not related to gardening but is an important distinction in understanding the word in different contexts.

Synonyms:

• Leaf rake: Specifically used for gathering leaves.
• Land rake: A similar tool, often used for larger areas like fields.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Rake in the profits": This idiom means to earn a lot of money easily or quickly. It’s not related to gardening but uses the word "rake" metaphorically.

• "Rake over the coals": This phrase means to criticize or reprimand someone harshly for something they did wrong. Again, it's a metaphorical use of the word.

Summary:

A garden rake is a helpful tool for any gardener, used mainly for collecting leaves and preparing soil. Understanding how to use it properly can make gardening tasks easier and more efficient.

Academic

Noun

1. a rake used by gardeners