horse-hoe

A farmer uses a horse-hoe to weed between rows of corn.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Agricultural implement: "horse-hoe" refers to a type of hoe designed to be pulled by a horse, used for weeding and cultivating soil in farming.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer used a horse-hoe to clear the field of weeds. (A horse-drawn hoe for weeding.)
  • Before tractors became common, the horse-hoe was essential for crop maintenance. (A traditional farming tool.)

Advanced Usage

• "to work with a horse-hoe": to perform cultivation using this implement.
  • In the 19th century, many farmers worked with a horse-hoe to manage their crops. (They used the horse-drawn tool for soil care.)

Variants and Related Words

• Horse-hoeing (n): the action or process of using a horse-hoe.
  • Horse-hoeing was a labor-intensive but effective method of weed control. (The practice of using the implement.)

Synonyms

• Cultivator: a tool or machine used for breaking up soil and removing weeds.
• Harrow: an implement for breaking up and smoothing soil, sometimes pulled by horses.

Related Idioms

• "to hoe one's own row": to manage one's own affairs independently (though not directly related to horse-hoe, it uses the same verb "hoe").
  • He prefers to hoe his own row rather than rely on others. (He handles his own responsibilities.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Hoe out: to remove weeds or unwanted plants using a hoe.
  • The gardener had to hoe out the thistles from the vegetable patch. (Remove them with a hoe.)

Note: This word is primarily historical and technical, referring to a specific piece of pre-mechanized farming equipment. It does not have modern common usage.