Definition

1. Noun:

   • An agricultural tool for cutting crops or grass: A "scythe" is a long-handled farming tool with a large, curved, single-edged blade. It is designed to be swung with both hands to cut vegetation, such as tall grass or grain, close to the ground.

2. Verb:

   • To cut down with a scythe: The action of using a scythe to harvest or mow crops or grass.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer sharpened the blade of his scythe before beginning the harvest.
  • In the old painting, Father Time is often depicted carrying a scythe.

• Verb:

  • He scythed the long grass in the meadow.
  • They scythed the wheat by hand before the invention of modern machinery.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: The word can be used figuratively to describe something moving or cutting through an area with force and ease.
  • The racing car scythed through the pack of competitors.
  • The new policy scythed through layers of bureaucracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Scything (adj/participle): Describing a sweeping, cutting motion.
  • He made a scything gesture with his arm.

Synonyms

• Noun: Reaping hook.
• Verb: Mow, reap, cut down.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Scythe down: To cut down or knock down as if with a scythe; often used figuratively.
  • The machine gun fire scythed down the advancing soldiers. (Figurative)
  • The storm scythed down the young trees.

Noun

1. an edge tool for cutting grass; has a long handle that must be held with both hands and a curved blade that moves parallel to the ground

Verb

1. cut with a scythe
   • scythe grass or grain