I .
/ səʊ; NAmE soʊ/ verb
—see also sow (II) ( sowed , sown / səʊn; NAmE soʊn/ or sowed , sowed )
1.
sow sth (in / on sth) | sow sth (with sth) to plant or spread seeds in or on the ground :
[ vn ]
Sow the seeds in rows.
The fields around had been sown with wheat.
[ v ]
Water well after sowing.
2.
[ vn ] sow sth (in sth) to introduce or spread feelings or ideas, especially ones that cause trouble :
to sow doubt in sb's mind
to sow confusion
•
IDIOMS
- sow the seeds of sth
- sow (your) wild oats
—more at reap
II .
/ saʊ; NAmE / noun
a female pig
—compare boar , hog
—see also sow (I)
•
IDIOMS
see silk
••
WORD ORIGIN
I . Old English sāwan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zaaien and German säen .
II . Old English sugu ; related to Dutch zeug , German Sau , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin sus and Greek hus pig.