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sward

noun
\ ˈswȯrd How to pronounce sward (audio) \

Definition of sward

1 : a portion of ground covered with grass
2 : the grassy surface of land
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Other Words from sward

swarded \ ˈswȯr-​dÉ™d How to pronounce swarded (audio) \ adjective

Did You Know?

Sward, which sprouted up in the English language more than 500 years ago, is currently used more frequently as a surname than as a noun having to do with lawns and the like. Still, you'll find the occasional reference to a "green sward" or "grassy sward" in newspapers. And the term pops up in a number of old novels, such as in this quote from Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles: "The sun was so near the ground, and the sward so flat, that the shadows of Clare and Tess would stretch a quarter of a mile ahead of them...." "Sward" at one time referred to skin or rind, and especially to the rind of pork or bacon, although this meaning is now archaic. The word comes from the Old English "sweard" or swearth, meaning "skin" or "rind."

First Known Use of sward

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sward

Middle English, from Old English sweard, swearth skin, rind; akin to Middle High German swart skin, hide

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More Definitions for sward

sward

noun
How to pronounce sward (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sward

literary : an area of land covered with grass

See the full definition for sward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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