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View synonyms for

sow

1

[soh]

verb (used with object)

sowed, sown, sowed, sowing. 
  1. to scatter (seed) over land, earth, etc., for growth; plant.

  2. to plant seed for.

    to sow a crop.

  3. to scatter seed over (land, earth, etc.) for the purpose of growth.

  4. to implant, introduce, or promulgate; seek to propagate or extend; disseminate.

    to sow distrust or dissension.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  5. to strew or sprinkle with anything.



verb (used without object)

sowed, sown, sowed, sowing. 
  1. to sow seed, as for the production of a crop.

sow

2

[sou]

noun

  1. an adult female swine.

  2. the adult female of various other animals, as the bear.

  3. Metallurgy.

    1. a large oblong mass of iron that has solidified in the common channel through which the molten metal flows to the smaller channels in which the pigs solidify.

    2. the common channel itself.

    3. a basin holding any of certain molten nonferrous metals to be cast.

sow

1

/ ʊ /

noun

  1. a female adult pig

  2. the female of certain other animals, such as the mink

  3. metallurgy

    1. the channels for leading molten metal to the moulds in casting pig iron

    2. iron that has solidified in these channels

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sow

2

/ əʊ /

verb

  1. to scatter or place (seed, a crop, etc) in or on (a piece of ground, field, etc) so that it may grow

    to sow wheat

    to sow a strip of land

  2. (tr) to implant or introduce

    to sow a doubt in someone's mind

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • sowable adjective
  • sower noun
  • unsowed adjective
  • sowlike adjective
  • ˈǷɲ adjective
  • ˈǷɱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sow1

First recorded before 900; Middle English sowen, Old English ɲ; cognate with Dutch zaaien, German ä, Old Norse , Gothic saian; akin to seed, Latin ŧ “s”

Origin of sow2

First recorded before 900; Middle English soue, sou(we), Old English sugu, sū; cognate with German Sau, Old Norse ̄, Latin ū, Greek û, Tocharian B suwo; swine
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sow1

Old English sugu; related to Old Norse ӯ, Old High German ū, Latin ū, Norwegian sugga, Dutch zeug: see swine

Origin of sow2

Old English ɲ; related to Old Norse , Old High German , Old Slavonic seja, Latin serere to sow
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with sow, also see can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Many California officials, who have long been at odds with Trump, say the president was trying to exploit the situation for his political advantage and sow unneeded disorder and confusion.

From

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass earlier accused the ICE of "sowing terror" in America's second largest city.

From

The original ban spurred mass protests and sowed chaos at US airports.

From

The efforts by the Trump administration have sown fear on campuses nationwide and led some students to depart.

From

In the months since, the new administration has used a variety of tactics to sow fear in immigrant communities.

From

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Sov. Un.sowback