To add water to something or to supply the body with adequate fluids. As a noun, it refers to a chemical compound containing water molecules or the process of maintaining proper fluid levels.
From Greek 'hydor' meaning water, through French 'hydrater'. The chemical term emerged in the 18th century to describe compounds incorporating water molecules, while the biological sense of maintaining body fluid balance became popular in the 20th century with advances in sports medicine and health awareness.
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