Definition

1. Adjective:
   • (Of land or a field) having had seeds planted in it; seeded. This is the primary meaning, describing land that has been prepared for growing crops by planting seeds.
   • Figuratively, (of an idea, feeling, etc.) introduced or established. Used to describe something abstract that has been introduced and is expected to develop or grow.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • The farmer walked across the sown field, hopeful for a good harvest. (Describes a field where seeds have been planted.)
  • After the meeting, the seeds of doubt were sown in her mind. (Figurative use, meaning feelings of doubt were introduced.)

Advanced Usage

• "Newly sown": Refers to land that has very recently been seeded.
  • Birds were pecking at the newly sown lawn.
• "Sown with [crop/idea]": Specifies what has been planted or introduced.
  • The propaganda had sown the population with distrust.
  • The acre was sown with winter wheat.

Variants and Related Words

• Sow (verb): The base verb from which 'sown' is derived as a past participle. It means to plant seeds in the ground, or to introduce an idea or feeling.
  • You sow in the spring and reap in the autumn.
  • He tried to sow discord among the team members.
• Sower (noun): A person who sows seeds.
• Seeded (adjective): A close synonym, especially for the literal meaning related to land.

Synonyms

• Planted: (Literal) Placed seeds or young plants in the ground to grow.
• Seeded: (Literal) Sown with seed.
• Implanted: (Figurative) Fixed an idea or feeling firmly in someone's mind.
• Instilled: (Figurative) Gradually but firmly established an idea or habit.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Verb Constructions

• To sow (seeds): The fundamental action.
  • It's time to sow the carrot seeds.
• To sow something in/on something: To plant seeds in a particular place.
  • They sowed clover in the pasture.
• To sow something among/between people: To spread an abstract thing among a group.
  • The rumor was deliberately sown among the staff.

Related Idioms

• As you sow, so shall you reap (or You reap what you sow): Your actions, good or bad, will eventually have corresponding consequences for you. This idiom directly uses the verb 'sow'.
  • He was unkind to everyone and now has no friends. You reap what you sow.
• To sow the seeds of (something): To do something that will cause a particular situation, often a negative one, to develop in the future.
  • His harsh criticism sowed the seeds of rebellion in the department.

Adjective

1. sprinkled with seed
   • a seeded lawn