sow Hear it!

sow¹ Definition

sow (so̵u)

noun

    1. an adult female pig
    2. an adult female of certain other mammals, as the bear
    1. a channel or sluice carrying molten metal from a blast furnace to the molds in which pig bars are cast
    2. a large mass of metal that has solidified in this channel

Etymology: ME sowe < OE sugu, akin to Ger sau (OHG su) < IE base *sū-, pig > swine, L sus

sow² Definition

sow ()

transitive verb sowed, sownsōn or sowed, sow·ing

  1. to scatter or plant (seed) for growing
  2. to plant seed in or on (a field, ground, earth, etc.)
  3. to spread or scatter; broadcast, disseminate, or propagate to sow hate
  4. to implant; inculcate to sow suspicion

Etymology: ME sowen < OE sawan, akin to Ger säen < IE base *sē(i) > seed

intransitive verb

to sow seed for growing

sow² Related Forms
sower noun
sow Synonyms

sow

v.

seed, disseminate, propagate, scatter, plant, broadcast, drill in, drill seed, use a drill seeder, use a broadcast seeder, strew, seed down, put in small grain, do the seeding.

sow Usage Examples

Object

  • seed: To grow, sow seed indoors during the late winter.
  • cereal: The change from spring to winter sown cereals has led to the loss of over winter stubble.
  • radish: Click here for easy to follow instructions on sowing radishes.
  • seedling: In many parts of the country fields are empty because, where farmers did sow, seedlings died in the arid heat.
  • thistle: Here and there in fields, or along the road sides, there are displays of the tall sow thistles.
  • pea: Sow sweet peas in a cold frame or the greenhouse for early summer blooms next year.

Converse of object

  • farrow: A farrowing sow will build her nest of straw freely where she pleases and we observe the birthing process.
  • lactate: The auditor observed a lactating sow trapped on 17 May 2000.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

  • 35g/m2: Sowing rate 35g/m2 on bare areas and 20g/m2 on thin areas.

Adjective modifier

  • pregnant: Further information The injection of PG 600 into a pregnant sow or gilt will fail to produce heat and will not cause abortion.

Possessives

  • ear: You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Preposition: in

  • situ: Mature crop sow in situ or transplant from modules space for small plants from 5cm apart up to 50cm for larger plants.
  • autumn: Their seed is sown in autumn or winter in containers that are left outdoors.
  • tray: Brassicas can be sown either in trays or direct into the ground for transplanting in the late spring.
  • drill: Try spring onions, lettuce, radish, dill and coriander, sowing in a small drill every three to four weeks.
  • pot: Hardy annuals can be sown in pots or modules to provide color in the garden.
  • tear: The promise of verse 5: " Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Preposition: of

  • cereal: Practices like early sowing of winter cereals ( eg In August rather than October ) tended to increase the use of insecticides.

Preposition: with

  • piglet: One empty farrowing pen had sawdust in it; however sows with piglets housed in such pens were not cleaned out.
  • wheat: We have farms around us which has been sown with wheat 5 or 6 years in succession and the last is the best.
sow Quotes

As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Manö There are only four things certain since Social Progress began:ö That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire, And the burnt Fool's bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire.

—Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard

The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Weary men, what reap ye?öGolden corn for the stranger. What sow ye?öHuman corpses that wait for the avenger. Fainting forms, hunger stricken, what see ye in the offing? Stately ships to bear our food away, amid the stranger's scoffing. There's a proud array of soldiersöwhat do they round your door? They guard our master'sgranaries from the thin hands of the poor. Pale mothers, wherefore weeping? Would to God that we were deadö Ourchildren swoon before us, and we cannot give them bread.

—Wilde,Jane Francesca ne¤  e Elgee

Browse dictionary entries near sow

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  3. sovietize
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  5. Soviet Union
  6. soviet
  7. sovereignty
  8. sovereigntist
  9. sovereign risk
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  1. sow bug
  2. sow thistle
  3. sowbelly
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  7. soy
  8. soy meal
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  10. soy sauce