Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long strip or band of material: A "swathe" is a broad, often long, piece of cloth or similar material used for wrapping, covering, or binding something.
   • A broad area or strip of land: "Swathe" can also refer to a wide, continuous area or path, often one that is distinct from its surroundings, such as a swathe of forest cut down or a swathe of color.

2. Verb:

   • To wrap or bind with a bandage or cloth: The verb "swathe" means to envelop or cover something completely by winding strips of material around it.
   • To envelop or surround completely: More generally, it means to cover or surround something entirely, often in a protective or concealing manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The mummy was covered in linen swathes. (The mummy was wrapped in long strips of linen cloth.)
  • The fire cut a swathe through the ancient forest. (The fire destroyed a broad, continuous path through the ancient forest.)

• Verb:

  • Nurses will swathe the wound in clean bandages. (Nurses will wrap the wound completely in clean bandages.)
  • Morning fog swathed the valley in a thick, white blanket. (Morning fog completely enveloped the valley.)

Advanced Usage

• "To cut a swathe through": To move through something, destroying it or having a very noticeable impact on it.

  • The new policy cut a swathe through the old bureaucracy. (The new policy removed or changed a large part of the old bureaucratic system.)

• "To be swathed in": To be completely covered or dressed in something, often fabric.

  • The celebrity was swathed in silk and jewels. (The celebrity was completely dressed in silk and covered with jewels.)

Variants and Related Words

• Swath (noun): A variant spelling of "swathe," especially common in American English when referring to a broad strip or area (e.g., ). It is also the specific term for the width of cut made by a mower or scythe.
• Swathing (noun/gerund): The action of wrapping or enveloping.
  • The swathing of the sculpture took hours.
• Swaddling (verb): A close synonym meaning to wrap tightly, especially an infant. "Swathe" is often used in this context (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Noun (bandage): Bandage, binding, wrap, strip.
• Noun (area): Belt, strip, tract, stretch.
• Verb (wrap): Envelop, wrap, bind, bandage, shroud, enfold.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Swathe" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly or through the idioms/constructions listed above.)

Related Idioms

• "Cut a swathe/swath through": As described in Advanced Usage, this idiom means to proceed with a powerful, destructive, or highly noticeable effect.
  • The hurricane cut a swathe of destruction along the coast.
• "Swathed in mystery/secrecy": To be completely surrounded by an atmosphere of mystery or secrecy.
  • The origins of the artifact remain swathed in mystery. (The origins are completely hidden or unknown.)

Noun

1. an enveloping bandage

Verb

1. wrap in swaddling clothes
   • swaddled the infant