farrow1
[far-oh]
- a litter of pigs.
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- (of swine) to bring forth (young).
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- to produce a litter of pigs.
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Origin of farrow1
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
farrow2
[far-oh]
- (of a cow) not pregnant.
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Origin of farrow2
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. 2018
Examples from the Web for farrow
Contemporary Examples
“She also has amazing hair,” Farrow said of Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
Farrow was showered with congratulations by guest upon guest, so much so that they got in the way of winding the segments up.
Sadly for gossip-hounds, there was no way Farrow was airing any family scandal on-screen, in this first show at least.
Farrow smiles and butterflies flutter and stars shoot across the night sky.
We know Farrow is smart and funny: he brilliantly tweeted about doubts over his own paternity.
Historical Examples
Catherine came in shortly and saw what Nurse Farrow was doing.
Highways in HidingGeorge Oliver Smith
"It always does," smiled Farrow as cheerfully as if I hadn't ruined their possessions.
Highways in HidingGeorge Oliver Smith
Farrow turned her car into the main highway and we went along it.
Highways in HidingGeorge Oliver Smith
"It did, Steve," said Farrow, who had been following my mental ramblings.
Highways in HidingGeorge Oliver Smith
On the other hand, the damage to Farrow's body was really minor.
Highways in HidingGeorge Oliver Smith
farrow1
- a litter of piglets
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- (of a sow) to give birth to (a litter)
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Word Origin
Old English fearh; related to Old High German farah young pig, Latin porcus pig, Greek porkos
farrow2
- (of a cow) not calving in a given year
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Word Origin
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
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper