swathe

¹

[ swoth, sweyth ]

verb (used with object)

, swathed, swath·ing.

1. to wrap, bind, or swaddle with bands of some material; wrap up closely or fully.
2. to bandage.
3. to enfold or envelop, as wrappings do.
4. to wrap (cloth, rope, etc.) around something.

noun

1. a band of linen or the like in which something is wrapped; wrapping; bandage.

swathe

²

[ swoth, sweyth ]

noun

1. swath.

swathe

/ sweɪð /

verb

1. to bandage (a wound, limb, etc), esp completely
2. to wrap a band, garment, etc, around, esp so as to cover completely; swaddle
3. to envelop

noun

1. a bandage or wrapping
2. a variant spelling of swath

Derived Forms

• ˈswathable, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swathe¹

before 1050; (noun) Middle English; Old English *swæth or *swath (in swathum dative plural); swaddle; (v.) Middle English swathen, late Old English swathian, derivative of the noun; cognate with Old Norse svatha

Word History and Origins

Origin of swathe¹

Old English swathian; related to swæthel swaddling clothes, Old High German swedil, Dutch zwadel; see swaddle

Example Sentences

Here and there a swathe of mist lay on the plains below; but up on the hills all was comparatively clear.

From Project Gutenberg

As the distension of the belly had been very great, a swathe was applied, and drawn gradually tighter as the water was evacuated.

From Project Gutenberg

Like Tristan, they hate the day as the destroyer of poetry, and swathe themselves in the trembling chiaroscuro of twilight.

From Project Gutenberg

"He said it made the swathe better there than any where else," they reply.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes his wives caress his body, ply him with delicacies or swathe him in perfumed garments.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bandage
• clothe
• swaddle
• wrap