swath

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See also: SWATH

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English swath, swathe, from Old English swæþ, swaþu (track; trace; footstep; mark; vestige; scar), from Proto-Germanic *swaþō (a wind-swept place; open field; borderland; terrain), from Proto-Indo-European *swem(bʰ)- (to bend, turn, swing).[1]

Cognate with Dutch zwade, zwad (swath; windrow), German Schwade (swath; windrow), Icelandic svæði (area; zone; sector; region).

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /swɒθ/, (sense 2) IPA(key): /sweɪð/
  • (US) IPA(key): /swɑθ/, /swɔθ/, (sense 2) IPA(key): /swɑð/, /sweɪð/, /swɔð/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɒθ

Noun

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swath (plural swaths)

  1. The track cut out by a scythe in mowing.
  2. (often figuratively) 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.
    • 2015 February 20, Jesse Jackson, “In the Ferguson era, Malcolm X’s courage in fighting racism inspires more than ever”, in The Guardian (London)[1]:
      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.

Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

References

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  1. ^ Pokorny, Julius (1959) “3030”, in Indogermanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch [Indo-European Etymological Dictionary] (in German), volume 3, Bern, München: Francke Verlag, page 3030

Anagrams

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Middle English

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Etymology 1

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From Old English swaþu.

Noun

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swath

  1. Alternative form of swathe (swath)

Etymology 2

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From Old English *swaþian.

Verb

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swath

  1. Alternative form of swathen