Reaping Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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reaping

[หˆriหpษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

agriculture

The action of cutting and gathering a crop.

Synonyms

collecting, gathering, harvesting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reaping

Use when talking about receiving outcomes, rewards, or consequences, often after effort or action. This can sometimes have a negative connotation if the results are undesirable.

  • After months of hard work, she is now reaping the benefits of her dedication.
  • The company is reaping the consequences of their poor management decisions.
harvesting

Best used when referring to the process of collecting agricultural crops. It can also be used metaphorically for gathering resources or results after a period of growth.

  • Farmers are busy harvesting the corn this season.
  • After years of investment, they are now harvesting the rewards.
collecting

Appropriate when referring to the act of bringing items, information, or data together from different places. It does not typically imply the result of an action or effort.

  • She enjoys collecting stamps from around the world.
  • They are collecting data for their research project.
gathering

Typically used for bringing people, items, or information together in one place. It can imply a more social or informal action compared to 'collecting.'

  • They are gathering at the community center for the meeting.
  • He spent the afternoon gathering firewood.

Examples of usage

  • He spent the whole day reaping the wheat in the fields.
  • The farmers were busy reaping the corn before the storm arrived.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative

To receive a reward or benefit as a consequence of one's actions.

Synonyms

acquire, gain, obtain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reaping

Often used in agricultural contexts or metaphorically to describe harvesting or collecting the rewards of one's actions.

  • Farmers are reaping the harvest.
  • She is reaping the benefits of her hard work.
gain

Typically used to describe the process of gradually obtaining something beneficial like knowledge, experience, or weight. It has a broad usage in informal and formal settings.

  • She gained a lot of valuable experience during her internship.
  • After starting the new diet, he began to gain weight.
obtain

Formal term often used in official, academic, or professional contexts to indicate that something has been received through effort or request.

  • She obtained her degree from a prestigious university.
  • He needed to obtain permission before making any changes to the project.
acquire

Used when describing the act of gaining something through effort, purchase, or learning. It is often formal in tone.

  • He acquired a new set of skills during the training.
  • She managed to acquire a rare book for her collection.

Examples of usage

  • You will reap the benefits of your hard work in the long run.
  • If you sow kindness, you will reap kindness in return.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, reaping often symbolizes the consequences of one's actions, mirroring the idea of 'you reap what you sow'.
  • Famous works like 'The Hunger Games' use the concept of reaping to symbolize sacrifice and survival.
  • The phrase 'harvest time' in poems often relates to both the literal gathering of crops and metaphorical life lessons.

Agriculture

  • Reaping is a crucial part of agriculture, marking the transition from growth to harvest.
  • Traditionally, crops such as wheat, barley, and oats are reaped in late summer when they are fully mature.
  • Modern reaping is often done with machines like combines, which can cut and gather crops quickly and efficiently.

Cultural Practices

  • Many cultures celebrate reaping with harvest festivals that include music, dance, and communal meals.
  • In ancient times, reaping rituals were performed to ensure good harvests, often appealing to different agricultural deities.
  • In some societies, the act of reaping represents community and cooperation, where everyone pitches in to gather the harvest.

Psychology

  • The concept of reaping connects to the idea of delayed gratification, where one must wait and work before enjoying the rewards.
  • In personal development, 'reaping' what one sows can be a metaphor for the effort put into relationships and personal goals.
  • Research shows that people who invest time in their future plans are more likely to 'reap' successful outcomes later.

Origin of 'reaping'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'reap' comes from the Old English word 'repan', which means 'to cut or gather'.
  • In many languages, the root of the word for 'reap' is connected to ideas of cutting or gathering crops.
  • Historically, reaping was done by hand with sickles before mechanized tools were invented.

The word 'reaping' originates from the Old English word 'repan', meaning 'to reap'. The concept of reaping has been essential in agriculture for centuries, as it involves the cutting and gathering of crops. Metaphorically, 'reaping' has been used to signify receiving rewards or consequences based on one's actions. The practice of reaping has historical roots in various cultures and continues to hold significance in modern society.


See also: reap, reaper.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,075, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.