swathe

¹

[swoth, sweyth]

verb (used with object)

swathed, swathing 

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

Other Word Forms

• swathable 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

However, exploration has identified large swathes of shale gas across the UK, particularly in northern England.

From BBC

Instead of being greeted by a bellowing sea of blue, swathes of empty seats greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel.

From BBC

Both sets of supporters had been were sick at their respective sides' exits, and the disgruntled fans of former European champions Red Star made it known with the swathes of empty seats around the ground.

From BBC

The young male's journey has taken in large swathes of Central Europe since he was first spotted near the village of Ludgerovice, in the northeastern corner of the Czech Republic, on 2 June.

From BBC

The floods, which have destroyed larges swathes of farms and houses, are devastating for residents in Pakistan, 40% of whom live below the poverty line.

From BBC

Related Words

• bandage 
• clothe 
• swaddle 
• wrap