farrow

[far-oh]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR farrow ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a litter of pigs.

verb (used with object)

(of swine) to bring forth (young).

verb (used without object)

to produce a litter of pigs.

Origin of farrow

before 900; Middle English farwen to give birth to a litter of pigs, derivative of Old English fearh pig (cognate with Latin porcus); akin to German Ferkel young pig

farrow

[far-oh]

adjective

(of a cow) not pregnant.

Origin of farrow

1485–95; akin to Dutch dialect verwe- (in verwekoe barren cow), Old English fearr ox

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for farrow

edentate, farrow, anteater

Examples from the Web for farrow

Contemporary Examples of farrow

“She also has amazing hair,” Farrow said of Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout
Tim Teeman
February 25, 2014
Farrow was showered with congratulations by guest upon guest, so much so that they got in the way of winding the segments up.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout
Tim Teeman
February 25, 2014
Sadly for gossip-hounds, there was no way Farrow was airing any family scandal on-screen, in this first show at least.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout
Tim Teeman
February 25, 2014
Farrow smiles and butterflies flutter and stars shoot across the night sky.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout
Tim Teeman
February 25, 2014
We know Farrow is smart and funny: he brilliantly tweeted about doubts over his own paternity.
Do Not Defy Ronan Farrow’s Power Pout
Tim Teeman
February 25, 2014

Historical Examples of farrow

Catherine came in shortly and saw what Nurse Farrow was doing.
Highways in Hiding
George Oliver Smith
"It always does," smiled Farrow as cheerfully as if I hadn't ruined their possessions.
Highways in Hiding
George Oliver Smith
Farrow turned her car into the main highway and we went along it.
Highways in Hiding
George Oliver Smith
"It did, Steve," said Farrow, who had been following my mental ramblings.
Highways in Hiding
George Oliver Smith
On the other hand, the damage to Farrow's body was really minor.
Highways in Hiding
George Oliver Smith

British Dictionary definitions for farrow

farrow

noun

a litter of piglets

verb

(of a sow) to give birth to (a litter)

Word Origin for farrow

Old English fearh; related to Old High German farah young pig, Latin porcus pig, Greek porkos

farrow

adjective

(of a cow) not calving in a given year

Word Origin for farrow

C15: from Middle Dutch verwe- (unattested) cow that has ceased to bear; compare Old English fearr ox

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for farrow

Old English fearh "young pig," from Proto-Germanic *farkhaz "young pig" (cf. Middle Low German ferken, Dutch varken, both diminutives, Old High German farh, German Ferkel), from PIE *porkos- (see pork (n.)). Sense of "a litter of pigs" first recorded 1570s. As a verb, early 13c.