• Swath

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /swɒθ/
    • US IPA: /swɑθ/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Old English swæþ, swathu ("track, trace, scar").

    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.

    Full definition of swath

    Noun

    swath

    (plural swaths)
    1. The track cut out by a scythe in mowing.
    2. (often figuratively) A broad sweep or expanse.Five days after Hurricane Katrina, large swaths of New Orleans, such as Canal Street seen here, are still submerged in water.

    Usage notes

    To be distinguished from main meanings of swathe, but that is also an alternative spelling for this word.

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