Abarim Publications' online Biblical Greek Dictionary
ξηρος
The adjective ξηρος (xeros) means dry, the opposite of υγρος (hugros), wet, sappy (Luke 23:31). It's used to describe a withered hand, the opposite of a healthy, living hand (Matthew 12:10). When used as a substantive, it denotes the dry [land] and is the opposite of θαλασσα (thalassa), sea (Matthew 23:15, Hebrews 11:29).
Our adjective ξηρος (xeros), dry, is used 7 times in the New Testament, see full concordance, and from it derives:
- The verb ξηραινω (xeraino), meaning to dry, to wither. This verb is used 16 times; see full concordance.
For a look at the cognitive equivalent of the hydrological cycle, see our article on νεφελη (nephele), cloud. For a more broadly used word for dryness, see our article on the verb σκελλω (skello).