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n. 1. a. The width of a scythe stroke or a mowing-machine blade. b. A path of this width made in mowing. c. The mown grass or grain lying on such a path. 2. Something likened to a swath, especially a strip, path, or extension: "the motor humming as a girl on skis cut a swath back and forth across the water" (Sarah Dessen). 3. A great stir, impression, or display: "a man who rose from humble beginnings to cut a wide swath in the world" (Garrison Keillor). [Middle English swathe, from Old English swæth, track.] |
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