scythe

[ sahyth ]

noun

1. an agricultural implement consisting of a long, curving blade fastened at an angle to a handle, for cutting grass, grain, etc., by hand.

verb (used with object)

, scythed, scyth·ing.

1. to cut or mow with a scythe.

scythe

/ saɪð /

noun

1. a manual implement for cutting grass, etc, having a long handle held with both hands and a curved sharpened blade that moves in a plane parallel to the ground

verb

1. tr to cut (grass, etc) with a scythe

Derived Forms

• ˈscytheˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• scytheless adjective
• scythelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scythe¹

before 900; Middle English sith, Old English sīthe, earlier sigdi; cognate with Old Norse sigthr; spelling sc by pseudoetymological association with Latin scindere to cut or with scissors

Word History and Origins

Origin of scythe¹

Old English sigthe; related to Old Norse sigthr, Old High German segansa

Example Sentences

A widespread uprooting of families and innocents as a heedless and heartless deportation policy drives a scythe through immigrant communities.

From Los Angeles Times

The soul scythe is this weapon Einan uses to steal people’s souls.

From Literature

Industries of textiles, or metalworkers making nails and scythes, were shaped like "factories without machines spread out over hundreds of households" according to Shaw-Taylor -- and increasingly produced goods for international markets.

From Science Daily

Using handmade scythes attached to the end of a long bamboo pole, they cut down the leaves at the top of the palms.

From BBC

It got worse for Barcelona as Araujo's frustrations got the better of him and he scythed down Vinicius to earn himself a second yellow card with 20 minutes remaining.

From BBC

Related Words

• carve
• divide
• rip
• slash
• slice