Swathe
Pronunciation
- IPA: /sweið/, IPA: /swÉ”Ëð/, or IPA: /swÉ‘Ëð/
- Rhymes: -eɪð
Origin
From Old English swæþ
Full definition of swathe
Noun
swathe
(plural swathes)- A bandage; a band;
- (chiefly British, usually in plural) A group of people.Large swathes will be affected by the tax increase.
- 2011, October 23, Phil McNulty, Man Utd 1 - 6 Man City, United's stature is such that one result must not bring the immediate announcement of a shift in the balance of power in Manchester - but the swathes of empty seats around Old Trafford and the wave of attacks pouring towards David de Gea's goal in the second half emphasised that City quite simply have greater firepower and talent in their squad at present.
- Alternative spelling of swath
- 2012, The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue, Venezuela’s presidential election: The autocrat and the ballot boxAs well as the advantages of abused office, Mr Chávez can boast enduring popularity among a broad swathe of poorer Venezuelans. They like him for his charisma, humble background and demotic speech.
Verb
- To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers.
- Archbishop AbbotTheir children are never swathed or bound about with anything when they are first born.
- 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4The head was swathed in linen bands that had been white, but were now stained and discoloured with damp, but of this I shall not speak more, and beneath the chin-cloth the beard had once escaped.