swath

Definition of swath

3 senses · 1 part of speech · etymology included

noun

The track cut out by a scythe in mowing.

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noun

The track cut out by a scythe in mowing.
(figuratively, often)A broad sweep or expanse, such as of land or of people.

“A large swath of the population is opposed to this government policy.”
“Five days after Hurricane Katrina, large swaths of New Orleans are still submerged in water.”
“It is undeniable that Malcolm was a beacon of huge strength in his lifetime. He could connect with swaths of people when others could not.”
(abbreviation, acronym, alt-of)Acronym of small waterplane area twin hull, a ship design philosophy for reducing pitching and rolling, and increasing stability, in all sea states.

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.

Etymology

From Middle English swath, swathe, from Old English swæþ, swaþu (“track; trace; footstep”), from Proto-Germanic *swaþō (“a wind-swept place; open field”), of unknown further origin. Has been derived from a…

See full etymology

From Middle English swath, swathe, from Old English swæþ, swaþu (“track; trace; footstep”), from Proto-Germanic *swaþō (“a wind-swept place; open field”), of unknown further origin. Has been derived from a Proto-Indo-European *swey- (“to bend, turn, swing”), and compared with Ancient Greek σιμός (simós, “snub-nosed”) and Welsh chwil (“reeling, staggering”), though this is uncertain, as well as the Greek comparandum being unlikely. Cognate with Dutch zwade, zwad (“swath; windrow”), German Schwade (“swath; windrow”), Icelandic svæði (“area; zone; sector; region”). other etymological information Corresponds to Middle Low German and Middle Dutch swat, Middle High German and MNG swade, NDu swad(e), Old Frisian swethe (“border”). Root meaning: trace of a cut. Attested in English since 888 in its obsolete meaning of track or trace, since 1475 in its more modern usage. Cognate with German Schwaden (“row of mown grass or grain”). No definite cognates outside Germanic languages. * See F. Kluge, Etymologisches Wörterbuch (De Gruyter), entry Schwaden, and OED.

Anagrams of swath

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Best play thaws 11 points

Words you can make from swath

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Best play thaws 11 points

5-letter words

1 word

WHATS 11 pts

4-letter words

15 words

3-letter words

15 words

2-letter words

7 words

Hooks

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