Arid
Etymology
From Latin "aridus" ("dry, parched"), from "arēre" ("to be dry"). The same root lies behind "ardent" and "arson" — dryness and burning share an ancient connection.
adjective · /AR-id/
Extremely dry, with too little rainfall to support most plant life; figuratively, dull and lacking warmth or interest.
What it names
A climate defined by the absence of water — and, by extension, anything parched of feeling or vitality.
Example
Little grows in the arid heart of the desert.
Related idea
Arid means starved of water; verdant and lush describe the opposite — ground rich, green, and thick with growth.