Swathe: meaning, definitions and examples

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swathe

 

[ sweɪð ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

to wrap around

To swathe something means to wrap it closely or cover it completely with a material, such as cloth. It often implies a tight or secure wrapping.

Synonyms

bind, cover, enfold, wrap.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to swathe the baby in a soft blanket.
  • The gardener swathed the young plants with burlap to protect them from frost.
  • He swathed himself in layers of clothing to stay warm.
Context #2 | Noun

a large area

A swathe can also refer to a strip or a long stretch of something, often used in a figurative sense to describe an area that has been cut or cleared.

Synonyms

band, section, strip, zone.

Examples of usage

  • The farmer cleared a swathe of land for planting.
  • A swathe of forest was burned in the wildfire.
  • They mowed a swathe through the tall grass.

Translations

Translations of the word "swathe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 faixa

🇮🇳 पट्टी

🇩🇪 Bahn

🇮🇩 sabuk

🇺🇦 полоса

🇵🇱 pasek

🇯🇵 

🇫🇷 bande

🇪🇸 franja

🇹🇷 şerit

🇰🇷 

🇸🇦 شريط

🇨🇿 pruh

🇸🇰 pás

🇨🇳 

🇸🇮 trak

🇮🇸 bönd

🇰🇿 жол

🇬🇪 პატარა

🇦🇿 zolaq

🇲🇽 franja

Etymology

The word 'swathe' originates from the Old English 'swæþe' which meant 'a band or wrapping'. The term has been related to the act of wrapping or enclosing something securely. The use of 'swathe' in its verb form to signify the act of wrapping comes from a more generalized understanding of binding or enclosing something in cloth or material. Over time, the term has also developed a noun form, referring to a swath or strip of something, showcasing the evolution of its meaning across contexts. It reflects both physical wrapping and a broader metaphorical use of space and area. In contemporary English, 'swathe' is commonly used in both everyday language and literary contexts, illustrating the enduring nature of its meaning in the lexicon.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,282 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.