sow

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology 1

Old English sugu.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
sow

Plural
sows or swine

sow (plural sows or swine)

  1. A female pig.
  2. A channel that conducts molten metal to molds.
  3. A mass of metal solidified in a mold.
  4. (derogatory, slang) A contemptible woman.
[edit] Usage notes

The plural form swine is now obsolete in this sense.

[edit] Quotations
  • 1957, In England, it was generally termed a 'sow', if the weight was above 10 cwts., if below, it was termed a 'pig' from which the present term 'pig iron' is derived. — H.R. Schubert, History of the British Iron and Steel Industry, p. 160.
[edit] Synonyms
  • (mass of metal solidified in a mold): ingot
  • (contemptible woman): bitch, cow
[edit] Translations
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[edit] See also

[edit] Etymology 2

Old English sāwan.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to sow

Third person singular
sows or archaic soweth

Simple past
sowed

Past participle
sown

Present participle
sowing

to sow (third-person singular simple present sows or archaic soweth, present participle sowing, simple past sowed, past participle sown)

  1. (transitive) To scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).
    I needed to sow the field, so I sowed the field and when I had sown the field, I was happy.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams