| 释义 |
ploughplown.1 Origin: Of uncertain origin. Etymology: Immediate origin uncertain; apparently either cognate with, or borrowed from one of, the following forms in other Germanic languages: Old Frisian plōch, plōg (West Frisian ploege, ploech, North Frisian pluwge), Middle Dutch ploech (Dutch ploeg), Middle Low German plōch, plūch, Old High German phluog (8th cent.; Middle High German phluoc, German Pflug), Old Icelandic plógr (in the poem Rígsþula, which was perhaps composed in the 10th cent., but shows probable reworking, perhaps in England, in the 11th cent.; also in Skaldic poetry of the mid 11th cent.), Norn (Shetland) plug, Old Swedish plogher (Swedish plog), Old Danish plogh (Danish plov), all in sense ‘plough’; the Germanic words are apparently related also to post-classical Latin plovum (mid 7th cent.), Italian regional (northern) piò, and perhaps also to classical Latin plaumorati (in an isolated attestation in Pliny, where it is apparently a loanword, and refers to a new type of plough with two wheels in use in Gaul; the word is sometimes regarded as plural (or genitive singular) and a (nominative) singular plaumoratum constructed, but the context is unclear). Further etymology unknown (see discussion below).In formal terms, there is nothing to rule out the Old English word's being inherited from Germanic, rather than borrowed (either from another West Germanic language, or from early Scandinavian); however, it is not found at all in Old English in the (probably basic) sense 3a, and senses 1a and 2a are both rare and late in Old English. Earlier currency of the word (perhaps in sense 3a) is probably implied by (rare) Old English plōgesland , plōgaland ploughland n. (see discussion at that entry); compare also Old English plōgagang (see plough-gang n.). It is notable that the earlier Old English word for the agricultural implement at 3a, sulh , survived in western and south-western English dialects (those spoken in the areas least influenced by Norse settlers) as sullow n., and it has often been assumed that the present word is a borrowing from early Scandinavian, earliest in the Danelaw areas. However, the word also does not appear to be early in the Scandinavian languages, where the earlier name appears to have been arðr (cognate with Old Saxon erida ; < the Germanic base of ear v.1), which survives in Norwegian as ar a small plough (compare ard n.; hence perhaps originally denoting an earlier and simpler implement than the plógr ), and it has been suggested by some scholars that the early Scandinavian word was in fact a borrowing from Old English. The word is also not found in Gothic, which has hoha . It is perhaps most likely that the word occurred earliest in continental West Germanic (but not English, and not originally in either East Germanic or North Germanic), and was borrowed thence, either directly or indirectly, into both Old English and early Scandinavian. However, even this much is far from certain. Compare Old Russian plug″ (Russian plug ), Polish pług , Czech pluh , Lithuanian pliūgas , plūgas (probably all < German or other Germanic languages, although some have argued that these show an inherited Slavonic word ultimately of Indo-European origin); compare also Albanian plug plough. Perhaps compare also Albanian plor , Albanian regional (Tosk) pluar , (Gheg) pluer ploughshare, tip of a wooden plough, of uncertain origin. As regards the further etymology, attempts have been made (in spite of the difficulties posed by the initial p and by the restricted distribution among Germanic languages) to regard the word as an inherited item in Germanic, and hence to link it with either of two different Indo-European bases, or alternatively with the Germanic base of German pflegen (see plight n.1); alternatively, it has been explained as a loan either from another Indo-European language (perhaps Gaulish in view of Pliny's plaumorati ) or from a non-Indo-European language. It seems unlikely that a consensus view will be reached. In support of an etymological connection with the Germanic base of German pflegen attention has been drawn to Old Frisian plōch , plōg gainful employment, gain, profit, community of interests, Middle Dutch ploech division of a society, heap of things, Middle High German phluoc business, living, income, Old Icelandic plógr gain, produce; however, it has also been argued that these show a separate homonym, unrelated in origin to the word for ‘plough’. As regards the developments shown by the forms of the word within English, the regular Old English inflection of plōh (also, with failure of devoicing of the final consonant, plōg ) would be dative plōge , genitive plōges , nominative plural plōgas , giving in early Middle English ploh , ploȝe , ploȝes , and in later Middle English singular plouh , plowh , or plowgh , plural plowes ; as these became homophonous in modern English there is levelling of the spellings to either plough , ploughs , or plow , plows ; the former has been the accepted spelling in England since approximately 1700, while the latter is usual in the U.S. In pronunciation, the final consonant was lost in some districts in the 14th cent., and has quite disappeared not only in the standard language, but in all dialects south of the Peak of Derbyshire; it remains in parts of Scotland as /x/ (pleuch , pluich = /pløx/ /plʏx/), and in the north of England (if it is retained) it has generally developed to /f/. In plough v. forms with retention of the final consonant are not found; in the noun, they perhaps result from early loss of final unstressed vowels, limiting the influence of the forms of the oblique cases. The breakdown of forms into α, β, γ given above is intended simply as a classification of the main orthographic types; it does not represent different lines of phonetic development. With sense 4 compare classical Latin Triōnēs (lit. ‘plough-oxen’), the Great and Little Bears (Virgil Æneid 3. 516 geminos Triones ) (see Triones n.). In sense 7 apparently after modern Sanskrit halāsana < hala plough + āsana asana n. 1. the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of area > [noun] > a system or process of measuring land > carucate and equivalents lOE (Corpus Cambr.) iii. 400 Ne plot ne ploh, ne turf ne toft, ne furh ne fotmæl. c1410 (c1350) (Harl. 7334) 57 (MED) Iohan, myn eldeste sone, schal haue plowes fyue..And my myddeleste sone, fyf plowes of lond. c1460 in A. Clark (1907) 163 I..ȝafe..j plowe of londe In the feldes of þe same towne. ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 97v A plugh [1483 BL Add. 89074 Ploghe] of lande, carrecta, carucata. 1597 J. Skene Hida terræ, ane pleuch of land. 1636 in J. Stuart (1843) 10 For the maintainance of ane schoolemaister, every pleuch within the parish of Dumbennand shall paye ane firlot victuall. 1682 in A. G. M. MacGregor (1901) II. 172 The lands of Fineane being a plough of land. 1763 D. Hume (new ed.) III. xviii. 87 The ecclesiastical revenues, which..included 18,400 ploughs of land. 1791 ‘T. Newte’ 237 A plough of land in the Highlands..is, on an average, about fifteen Scotch, or twenty English acres of arable land, besides a certain extent of hilly, or pasture land. 1824 J. Maidment (1868) 29 I'll gie him to his dowry, Full fifty ploughs of land. 1840 11 No. 51. 418 The plough..will extend over upwards of 103 Scotch acres, or about 129½ imperial. 1929 O. A. Marti 122 Here it was represented that the church possessed 18,400 ploughs of land. 2005 www.huddersfield1.co.uk 2 Mar. (O.E.D. Archive) [In Huddersfield at the time of the Domesday book] a carucate, hide or plow of land was about 120 acres. the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land 1859 16 July 288/1 Away we went,..splash through the black bog-holes, and tip-tap over the hard blue roads, and hop-and-hop over the plough, and skim and drop over the stone croppers. 1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville 18 It makes no odds to him, pasture or plough. 1884 18 Oct. 410/1 The scent [of the fox] on the plough is cold. 1930 Earl Bathurst in C. Frederick et al. xxiv. 238 The large open country.., the light going even over the ploughs enable hounds and horses to travel a great pace. 1965 P. Wayre viii. 102 The rabbit was by now over a hundred and fifty yards away, its white scut bouncing across the open plough. 1982 H. Hood i. 56 There were scattered houses and tree-lined roadways, then open plough, then clumps of trees. 2. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > draught-horse > that pulls plough the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > working > for ploughing > team of lOE (Laud) (Peterborough contin.) anno 1131 On þa tun þa wæs tenn ploges oðer twelfe gangende ne belæf þær noht an. c1400 (Bodl.) 107 (MED) On schrewede, untame oxe..mai greue alle his felawes and lette fro goode telþe al þe hole plow. a1425 in (1972) 73 203 (MED) Dame Margarite..was þe best of all my plogh [v.r. best ox off my ploght]. a1500 (Sloane) (1890) 41 (MED) The iiij chapitur tellithe wheder a ploughe off oxon or a ploughe off hors may tyll more land a yere & whiche of þem is more costfull. 1576 in J. H. Burton (1878) 1st Ser. II. 501 Arthour Grahame..cruellie..cuttit the plewis, dang and straik his servandis to the greit effusioun of thair blude. 1595 R. Hasleton sig. Diij To giue me a house and lande sufficient to sowe an hundreth bushels of graine yearely, and two Plowe of Oxen, furnished to till the same. 1615 R. Hamor 23 Of our yong Steeres the next winter we doubt not to haue three or foure Ploughes going. 1670 in M. B. Johnston (1939) I. 290 [As] many horse as will maik wp ane plewghe. 1760 G. Washington I. 148 Cook Jack..went to plowing in the 12 Acre Field..as did the other plow. 1786 R. Burns (1968) I. 167 My Pleugh is now thy bairn-time a'; Four gallant brutes, as e'er did draw. 1809 W. Bawdwen tr. 101 Earl Alan has now in the demesne six ploughs, and 14 villanes and 6 bordars with four ploughs. There is a church and a priest with half a plough. 1893 T. G. Jackson 31 [Somerset] 'Twere Varmer Mowdy's plough runned away, and 'twere fauch'nate they hadn't a hitched on the zull. 1920 A. Robb in (1968) VII. I lookit weel ance, forbye bein' the maiden o' Boggieneuk o' three ploo's na less. the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > work animals > draught animal society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > [noun] > with its draught animals 1505 lf. 123 b Departed unto God by a mysfortune of his ploughe by reson whereof [etc.]. a1640 T. Risdon (1811) (modernized text) §328 337 He took harts..and made of them a plow to draw timber thence to build a church. 1669 J. Worlidge Dictionarium Rusticum in 274 A Plough, a Term used in the Western parts for a Team of Horse or Oxen. 1709 239 Paid for 41 days worke with a ploughe carrying stones to the Causey. 1763 W. Borlase in (Royal Soc.) 52 507 The driver of a plough,..laden with tin, for Penzance coinage,..found himself and the plough, on a sudden, surrounded by the sea. 1811 T. Davis (new ed.) 262 A waggon and horses, or cart and horses together, are called a plough in South Wilts. 1863 W. Barnes 12 An' here a geäte, a-slammèn to, Did let the slow-wheel'd plough roll droo. 1873 W. P. Williams & W. A. Jones Plough, a team of horses; also a waggon and horses, or a waggon and oxen. 3. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 15902 Þe nowwt i ploh. Þe turrnenn erþe & tawwenn. a1250 (?a1200) (Titus) (1963) 141 Ȝif axe ne curue, ne spitel staf ne dulue, ni þe ploh [c1230 Corpus Cambr. sulh] ne erede, hwa kepte ham to halden? c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) 1419 (MED) Ichil þe ȝiue lond and plouȝ And make þi felawes riche ynouȝ. c1450 (1905) II. 437 (MED) Kyng Avidus..was furst þat evur fand pleugh. ?1521 A. Barclay sig. Av Some for the charet, some for the cart or ploughe And some for hakneyes, if they be lyght & toughe. c1535 iii. sig. C.vi Had they ben out of religyoun They must haue honged at the plowe. 1569 R. Grafton II. 390 Few or none of them were Gentlemen, but taken from the plough and cart, and other craftes. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach i. f. 21 The partes of the Plowe, are the Tayle, the Shelfe, the Beame, the Foote, the Coulter, the Share, the Wheeles, and the Staffe. 1631 B. Jonson Bartholmew Fayre iii. iii. 36 in II The husbandman ought not for one vnthankful yeer, to forsake the plough. 1671 268 Lands improved by Plough or Hough, or by cutting and taking of Timber. 1745 tr. L. J. M. Columella ii. ii Smaller ploughs, which are not strong enough to rip up the fallow grounds or lay-lands. 1797 I. 276/1 One sward-cutter will cut as much in one day as six ploughs will plough. 1821 W. Scott I. iv. 89 The heavy cart-load of timber, called the old Scotch plough. 1850 R. W. Emerson Plato in ii. 53 The ploughman, the plough, and the furrow, are of one stuff; and..the variations of form are unimportant. 1913 J. Muir iii. 119 Before the axe or plough had touched the ‘oak openings’ of Wisconsin, they were swept by running fires almost every autumn. 1948 A. Paton ii. i. 127 Here and there the plough would ride uselessly over the iron soil. 1990 Feb. 20/1 This maximum ballast is required when pulling high draft implements like a plow or subsoiler. society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > livelihood the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [noun] > that which improves c1390 G. Chaucer 1478 O thyng is..Of chapmen, that hir moneye is hir plow. c1440 (a1350) (Thornton) (1844) 397 (MED) Thay bade hym swynke, ‘And swa do we; Hafe we none other ploghe.’ c1480 (a1400) St. Pelagia 57 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) II. 205 Þat wynnyng wes lang hir plucht. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Hi Our hertes, which we eare and breke with the plough of abstinence. a1538 A. Abell Roit or Quheill of Tyme f. 70v, in at Pleuch Pray all prelatis..to lows the pleuch of thare iakmen, that is the cartis and dis. 1668 R. Steele (1672) vi. 142 He puts in the plough of mortification. 1782 W. Cowper Hope in 153 Their mind a wilderness through want of care, The plough of wisdom never ent'ring there. 1807 S. T. Coleridge (1959) III. 9 Mere natural qualities..most not be deemed Virtues, until they are broken in and yoked to the plough of Reason. 1878 T. L. Cuyler 13 They subsoiled with the plough of Divine truth, which ripped to pieces self-righteousness and other secret sins. 1972 G. M. Brown (1976) v. 177 Simon's wild oats were sown—now he had put his hand to the plough of the spirit. the world > the universe > constellation > Northern constellations > [noun] > Ursa Major c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. 682 (MED) Schipmen þat ben discrete and wyse..haue suffisaunce y-nowe To guye her passage by Arthouris Plowe. a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil viii. Prol. 151 The pleuch, and the polys, the planettis begane, The son, the sevin sternis, and the Charll wane. 1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid iii. f. 10 I did note The Pleiads and the Hiads moyst, and eke the siely plough. 1672 G. Sinclair 229 In the night time, observe, when the fourth star of the Plough begins to come near to the lowest part of the Meridian. 1868 J. N. Lockyer §341. 154 One of the most striking circumpolar constellations is Ursa Major.., the Plough, or Charles's Wain. 1893 K. Grahame (1894) 104 High and dominant amidst the Population of the Sky..hangs the great Plough. 1998 Jan.–Feb. 57/1 Follow the handle of the Plough and you will first arrive at Arcturus, then Spica. 5. Any of various implements, mechanical parts, etc., resembling an agricultural plough in shape or action. society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > bookbinding equipment > [noun] > tools 1580 Edinb. Test. VIII. f. 362v, in at Pleuch Johne Ros prentair..ane cutting pres and ane pleuch [£4]. 1671 in (1991) 37 2 hand presses one plough. 1688 R. Holme iii. 360/2 Plow, or cutting Knife by which the leaves of Books are cut even. 1755 J. Smith x. 264 The..parts of the paper whose Margin is adjusted..are subject to the Bookbinder's Plough. 1818 H. Parry 16 An additional plough and knife may be employed for cutting the pasteboards. 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 395/2 Upon one of the cheeks [of the cutting press] are two guides, or small raised rails, for the plough to work in. 1946 E. Diehl i. vii. 170 The fore-edge of the book is first ‘cut in boards’ with a plough, so that the edge will offer a perfectly smooth surface to work on. 2001 (Nexis) 23 June 15 Once resewn, they animal-glue and joint the spine, which involves clamping the pages in a bookbinding plough. society > occupation and work > equipment > shaping tools or equipment > plane > [noun] > for cutting grooves 1678 J. Moxon I. iv. 68 The Plow..is a narrow Rabbet-Plain..The Office of the Plow is to plow a narrow square Groove on the edge of a Board. 1725 (ed. 4) 15 Tools for Workmen. Awl ax bill drill..last plane plough saw [etc.]. 1815 J. Smith I. 111 The plane by which a square groove is taken out of the edge of a board, so as to leave a ridge on each side, is called a plough... For grooves of different sizes..a tool..called a universal plough, is manufactured. 1881 F. Young §396 The plough is necessary in such work as making drawers. 1913 P. A. Wells ii. 27 The plough must be held firmly and upright. 1993 June 71/3 A groove can now be worked on all sides, using a plough or combination plane. the world > the universe > cosmology > science of observation > astronomical instruments > measuring altitude > [noun] > plough society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > marine forms of astrolabe 1690 W. Leybourn f. 617 There are other Instruments for taking of the Altitude of the Sun and Stars; as the Plough, the Astrolabe, the Demi-Cross, the Bow. 1710 J. Harris II Plow, an Ancient Instrument, tho' now not much used at Sea. society > occupation and work > equipment > [noun] > for performing other processes 1860 D. K. Clark & Z. Colburn 68/2 In heavy snows, a plough of large size is fitted in front of the engine, to clear the line. a1884 E. H. Knight Suppl. 173/2 Dowling's plow for unloading platform gravel-cars, is a V-shaped implement which has two flaring wings. 1901 M. M. Kirkman viii. 333 The Rodgers ballast car dumps the ballast in the center of the track, the last car in train of ballast cars having a plow for cleaning and flanging the track. 1953 W. W. Hay xxii. 316 A spreader-type plow follows the unloading operation to spread the ballast where it is needed. 1975 D. Pitts (1976) xxviii. 117 I want your team of plows at Broadway and West 14th. 1989 Feb. 99/1 A plough extending from beneath the bow along the keel forces broken ice up and away from the sides of the hull. the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > malting > [noun] > spreading grain on floor > shovel for turning 1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler (ed. 7) II. 188 When turning only is required, he uses what is called the ‘plough’; this is a long-handled tool, in shape very much resembling the scull of a boat, and in using it is made to pass through the grain, precisely as a scull is made to do in the water. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > shearing > shearing fustian > instrument for 1875 E. H. Knight III. 1747/2 Plow, an instrument for cutting the flushing parts of the pile or nap of fustian. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > public service vehicle > [noun] > trolley car or bus > overhead wires and attachments 1894 C. H. W. Biggs et al. II. iv. 283/2 The ploughs are joined to the collector by a tempered steel strip. 1903 16 Mar. 5/2 They are..fitted..with the underground trolleys which make contact with the feeding conductors by means of a ‘plough’ lowered into the slotted conduit. 1980 J. H. Price 11/1 Plough, current collector used with the conduit system. society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > knife > [noun] > other knives 1899 18 433 The use of the knife led gradually to the introduction of the plow or reamer. 1907 Plough, a knife used for ‘ploughing’ mackerels, etc. the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical instruments > [noun] > instruments for excising tissue generally 1907 Oct. 528 By means of Killian's ‘plough’, or Ballenger's ‘swivel-knife’,..the cartilage so isolated is completely excised. society > occupation and work > equipment > mining equipment > [noun] > coal-cutting machines 1946 11 June 1/5 The mission asks for the development of..the coal plough in machine mining and for the use of the Resonance conveyor. 1950 109 273 The coal seams in this country are too hard to allow of the plough being successfully used. 1964 A. Nelson 335 Normally, on a wide face, and working 6 hr, a plough will produce 800 tons and more of coal in a 3 ft thick seam. 1982 Sept. 69/3 A specialized machine, either a plow or a shearer, travels along the face on a guide or track, cutting the coal and depositing it on a conveyor. 2001 1 Coal ploughs used successfully for many years in underground long wall face workings have pick holders arranged on the plough heads. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > types of deer > [noun] > genus Rangifer (reindeer) > parts of 1892 W. Pike 45 The perfect double plough is more often seen in the smaller specimen, the larger animal being usually provided with only one, or with one plough and a spike. society > faith > sect > non-Christian religions > Hinduism > systems of philosophy > [noun] > yoga > position 1925 July 228 Halāsana or the Plough Pose... The pose is called Halāsana because in its practice the body is made to imitate the Indian plough. 1966 R. C. Hittleman i. 48 In the Plough the vertebrae are bent outward, beginning with the base of the spine and progressing upward. 1987 P. Westcott iii. 120 Yoga poses such as the Fish, Plough and Shoulder Stand can all benefit piles. 2002 S. W. Ward (ed. 2) 90 Inverted poses, like the Plough and Shoulder Stand, should not be attempted by those suffering from brain injury, glaucoma, [or] high blood pressure. Phrases the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) Luke ix. 62 No man sendynge [a1425 L.V. that puttith] his hond to the plouȝ and biholdinge aȝen is able to the rewme of God. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) 24031 (MED) I sette myn hand vnto the plough. 1526 Luke ix. f. xcij No man that putteth hys honde to the plowe, and loketh backe, is apte to the kingdom of god. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 253 Quhen he had put hand to the pluiche, to receiue yairof proffite and gude fructe. 1632 R. Sanderson 417 Reach foorth thine hand towards this spirituall Plow. 1678 J. Bunyan 5 Will you go back with us, or no?.. No..because I have laid my hand to the Plow. 1718 i. xxiii. 47 It was Time..to set his Hand to the Plow in good Earnest. 1792 M. Wollstonecraft xii. 361 The good effects resulting from attention to private education will ever be very confined, and the parent who really puts his own hand to the plow, will always, in some degree, be disappointed. 1816 B. Waterhouse (1911) ix. 337 They have put their hand to the plough, and not only looked back but have gone back. 1847 C. Brontë III. viii. 215 To the main point..you do not object. You have already as good as put your hand to the plough: you are too consistent to withdraw it. 1912 S. Leacock in 23 Mar. 23/5 Let them but set their hands to the plough and they could soon guide it into the deep water. 1991 D. M. Greenwood (BNC) 36 She had set her hand to the plough. She needed to learn as much as she could about this area of mental disturbance. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] > be ploughman c1535 i. sig. B.iv What knoweth a tyllour at the plowe The popes name. 1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara (rev. ed.) iv. f. 146v Hee returned home again, to folow the plough. 1594 J. Lyly i. iii. sig. B4v In stead of poaring on a booke, you shall holde the plough. 1603 J. Davies 139 Our force lies most dispersed at the Plow, Vnready, rude, and oft rebellious too. 1660 J. Gauden 159 To rusticate (as Elisha sometimes did) among plain people that follow the Plough. 1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler IV. 287 The celebrated Mr. Vareinge, professor of mathematics, followed the plough till he was eight and twenty years of age. 1786 R. Burns Twa Dogs xxx, in 20 A country fellow at the pleugh. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. ii. 330 His boys followed the plough; and his girls went out to service. 1887 J. Farrell 87 The best thing she could do Was to go back..and marry The joskin that followed the plough. 1917 5 Oct. 4 It was his constant practice, I believe, when at the plough, to lay the remains of his ‘nacket’ of home-made bread and ewe-milk cheese at the end of his ‘landing’..[etc.]. 1995 (Nexis) 22 Sept. The Hoey family has followed the plough for 90 years. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > come in due order or course [verb (intransitive)] > reverse natural order 1340 (1866) 243 (MED) Moche uolk of religion zetteþ þe zuolȝ be-uore þe oksen.] 1571 in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. xxix. 9 That makis..The plewche befoir the oxin go, the best the man to gyde. 1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais xi. 54 He would put the Plough before the Oxen, and claw where it did not itch. 1745 W. Baylies 13 Here he puts the Plough before the Oxen; he should first have told us, that he had evaporated the Water to dryness, before he mentions the Effects of its Residuum. 1861 30 Apr. 10/6 Let us not place the plough before the oxen; let us begin by what is most essential. 1912 E. B. Krehbiel tr. A. Luchaire viii. 244 A religious congregation, dominated and directed by laymen, was, to use a metaphor which was frequently applied to the condition, putting the plow before the oxen. the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [adverb] 1795 C. Vancouver 53 The marshes which were formerly under grass, are now very generally under the plough. 1836 V. 225 There are actually under the plough 307,800 [acres]. 1895 T. Hardy Return of Native in VI. p. v Their [sc. heaths'] original unity..is now..disguised by intrusive strips and slices brought under the plough with varying degrees of success. 1936 10 Apr. 339/2 Most of the desirable land was in farms, including, unfortunately, millions of acres that should never have been brought under the plow. 1996 1 Jan. 7/1 The bittern is endangered..due to destruction of its habitat. Large areas of reedbed have been drained and gone under the plough this century. Compounds C1. a. General attributive, with sense ‘of or relating to a plough or ploughing’. the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > work animals > draught animal 1454 in H. Ellis (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 120 (MED) He and his men..toke all the plow-bestes and other bestes. a1500 (Sloane) (1890) 52 (MED) Geve your ploughe beestes sufficyaunt mete for to susteyne with þe labur. 1799 J. Mathews 154 The removed farmers, who used to rear plough beasts on each [farm]. 1962 H. R. Loyn (1963) ix. 346 The ownership of plough-beasts. 2000 (Nexis) 1 May 39 Peasants ate little dairy produce since they sold most of their eggs, cheese and butter in local markets to earn vital cash to buy cooking pots and other metal utensils, harnesses for the plough-beasts, and salt. 1559 in F. G. Emmison (1982) (modernized text) I. 248 To my son John..a spade, a hatchet, a ploughchain,..and a spit. 1641 in J. S. Moore (1976) 74 In the stable..horse harnice and plowe chaines. 1725 R. Parke Let. Oct. in K. Miller et al. (2003) 79 You may bring your Plow Chains. 1897 S. R. Crockett xxix.291 I'll..send the men up wi' pleuch-chains and cairt-rapes. 2003 (Nexis) 9 May 11 It was a rusting plough chain. 1789 Suffolk Inventory in (1947) 27 Dec. 559/2 6 plow collars. 1866 B. Taylor i. 1 They were not heavy animals, with the marks of plough-collars on their broad shoulders. 1908 No. 117. 137/4 A Southern Plow Collar. Made of heavy cotton duck with leather chafes on the side where the chain or trace attaches to the hame. 1942 W. Faulkner 255 Plowlines and plow-collars and hames and trace-chains. 1567 (1908) 315 Ane pleuch cowter. 1715 J. Kersey (ed. 2) at Akerstaff A Tool to cleanse the Plough-Coulter. 1835 J. P. Kennedy (1852) xx. 246 An old piece of iron that's been one while a plough coulter, and after that a gun-barrel. 1881 J. Sargisson 213 As plain as a pleugh cooter. 2002 Dec. 96/1 (advt.) Ransomes Plough Shares Wanted...also..Ransomes horse plough coulters with buckles. 1799 J. Anderson I. 40 Digging with the spade, in place of plowing; a comparison will be made of the effects of the spade and plough culture, in regard to expence in different situations. 1863 J. W. Fabens 282 In this particular, the system of plough-culture produces a fabulous profit, while the shallow native hoe-husbandry returns nothing but a loss. 1961 L. Mumford i. 27 Where hoe culture supported hamlets, plow culture could support whole cities and regions. 1990 J. Zerzan in A. Parfrey (rev. ed.) 248 Soon, following the anti-natural linearity of plow culture, the inflexible 90-degree gridiron [city] plan..appeared. 1799 tr. J. C. Fuessli 1 The Larvae..I received about the end of May, from my friend Dr. Anstein, who had discovered them on plants of the viola tricolor, in a ploughfield near Marchlins. 1805 25 315 My landlady's two sons were arrived from the plough field. 1971 3 June 1376/3 Big, smoky factories and ploughfields mathematically aligned, are the sort of scenery our hosts enthuse over. 2002 (Nexis) 2 Feb. 7 The football field was more akin to a ploughfield, and the changing area more cramped than cosy. 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger II. iii. i. sig. Bb.v/2 If the ploughfolks do idely wast their maisters substaunce. 1626 N. Breton sig. F2 The Porrage put off the fire, is set a cooling for the Plough folke. 1787 R. Burns in (1852) 527/1 He considers the vandalism of their plough-folks. a1991 T. Costain Black Rose in (1991) (Nexis) 6 July C5 The plough folk came running in from the fields when day light was gone as though a covin [sic] of witches screamed at their heels. the world > action or operation > doing > a proceeding > proceed or carry on an action [verb (intransitive)] 1597 T. Middleton xii. P4v And plows ech place, which one plow-furrow wants. 1683 J. Reid ii. ii. 68 Husbandmens watering is by Running Plough-furrowes (and trenches where needful).., so as the water may gently sweem over the whole. 1797 J. Anderson (ed. 4) I. 268 They [sc. drains] should not be..filled with brush-wood, or other porous matter, through which the water can be permitted to sink easily, as to reach the plough-furrows. 1844 H. Stephens I. 490 Deeper than the plough-furrow. 1925 W. Cather ii. ii. 193 I noticed a number of straight mounds, like plough furrows, running from the river inland. 2002 (Nexis) 12 Nov. 2 When he returned later he discovered some of the land had collapsed into one of the many underground chambers. He could still see the plough furrows in the pit 20 metres below! 1687 24 Sept. Plow-Garrans and other small horses. the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land 1551 King Edward VI (1966) (modernized text) 62 All those that..put plow ground to pasture..shall be straitly punished. 1640 in H. Bond (1855) II. 998 Ordered that the hither Plain, being subdivided into several Lotts for Plow-ground, shall be made a common field. 1895 W. Raymond vii. 84 Like a rook in a plough-ground. 2003 (Nexis) 15 July 5 Trainer Bob Baffert has criticised the Hollywood Park surface as a ‘ploughground’. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal c1390 G. Chaucer 3762 A smyth..in his forge smythed plough harneys. 1609 in J. S. Moore (1981) 4 His hoorse harnes..all manner of plowharnes. 1727 R. Bradley xvi. 266 Collars and hempen-traces, or plough harness, we must set at twenty shillings per horse. 1886 T. Hardy I. iv. 52 Plough-harness at the saddler's. 1999 (Nexis) 29 July m4 For a real treat, visit O'Hurley's General Store at the Toll House Turn. Under its roof are plow harnesses, dolls, clothing, buckets and barrels, toys and meat grinders. 1451 in A. Clark (1914) 49 (MED) I will he haf..my best plogh and j of my best plogh horrs. 1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 15 Sedge collers for plowhorse, for lightnes of neck. 1607 G. Markham v. 11 For the cart or plowe horse, Pease [and] Beanes. 1744 W. Ellis Jan. vi. 60 I feed my Plough-Horses with these green Thetches. 1880 Aug. 356/2 The next day the two girls, mounted on the plough horse and mare, followed an old Indian trail. 1992 J. MacKenna Unclouded Days in 20 I used to go over to Delaney's at the weekend and they'd set me to tackin' the plough horses, big, heavy horses. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > draught-horse > that pulls plough 1573 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger (rev. ed.) lxvi. f. 214 The pampered Palfreyes which eate away the prouender from the leane plough Iades. 1599 T. Heywood sig. P2v That sike bonny men sud bee hampert like plue Jades. 1772 T. Bridges (rev. ed.) 181 I thought it best on foot to pass, and leave my plough-jades all at grass. 1872 H. C. Carey 19 Those ancient ploughmarks are the sure indications of a rude and ignorant husbandry. 1930 W. Faulkner 125 After a while she went on, stumbling a little on the plow-marks. 1968 G. Jones iii. i. 156 There is a set of plough-marks on the floor of the grave at Gronk Moar, Isle of Man. 1994 20 Aug. 127/1 These are, to our knowledge, the first iceberg plow marks mapped in the Arctic Ocean proper and perhaps include the deepest iceberg drafts so far documented anywhere. 1552 R. Huloet Ploughe neate or oxen, triones. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [noun] > working > for ploughing a1475 in A. Clark (1905) i. 208 (MED) Dame Elene grauntith..to the forsaid Abbesse..pasture to her owne viij plough oxen. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 166 Lat no bowgle with his busteous hornis The meik pluch ox oppres. 1663 in W. G. Scott-Moncrieff (1905) I. 61 For theft..of pleugh oxen. 1780 T. Francklin tr. Lucian I. 222 When the altars..are prepared, they bring the victim; the husbandman his plough-ox, the shepherd his sheep, the goat-herd his goat. 1895 9 174 A population which must have maintained some hundred plough-oxen, as well as cows and horses. 2003 (Nexis) 13 Apr. 22 Aycliffe demands that the boy turn in the plow ox that is his only hope of eking out a subsistence from the land. 1844 H. Stephens I. 619 The ploughman guides the horses with plough-reins, made of rein-rope. 1941 Spring 93 He'd galluses, ploo-rynes an' branks for the caur. 1986 (Nexis) 26 Jan. Hoof picks, cow bells, cobber saddle bags, Barcoo bridles and plough reins are seemingly in as big a demand as ever. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxxix. 12 in (1998) II. 220 Who [MS χ: Thou] Hast their plow-ropes cutt in two! 1892 2 Apr. 21/2 Moti and a companion yoked by plough-ropes to the bed, wade knee-deep, hock-deep, into the stream. 1994 (Nexis) 9 May They [sc. Portuguese farmers] ended their lives by hanging from plough ropes or by drinking pesticide. 1700 T. Brown et al. tr. P. Scarron Comical Romance ii. vii. 172 in tr. P. Scarron One of the Plough Servants, who came from the Field to eat his Dinner. 1733 J. Tull xi. 57 Villanies of English Plow-Servants. 1971 6 270 A wealthy family..establishes a semi-permanent link with a plough servant, usually an Untouchable. 1807 J. Grahame I. 92 The furrow, here and there, heaped to a ridge, O'er which the sidelong plough-shaft scarcely peers. 1907 at Plough sb.1 Plough-shaft. 1997 (Nexis) 9 July 2 The boy's body had gotten caught between the plow-shaft of the vehicle and the combine. c1429 (1986) l. 109 Cryst enemys tofor him fell ilkone. This figured..Sangar þat with a plogh sokke of men sex hundreth slogh. 1664 Edinb. Test. LXXI. f. 315, in at Pleuch Tua pleugh socks & culters. 1814 W. Scott III. iii*. 39 Plough-socks, shuttles, candlesticks, and other ordinaries. View more context for this quotation 1966 S. Heaney 17 An armoury Of farmyard implements, harness, plough-socks. 1990 P. Muldoon ii. 30 The great auger, The plow-sock, The sacks Of flour and sugar. 1663 in G. F. Dow (1916) I. 422 Iron chaynes & plow tacklings, 2li. 1695 J. Edwards III. iii. 114 The Gordian Knot was but Plough-tackling hamper'd in a Knot. 1723 in H. H. Metcalf & O. G. Hammond (1914) II. 194 I do give unto my said son..my plough tackling. 1976 23 280 Implements supplied by missionaries and traders, such as hoes, scythes, plow tackling, and oxen. the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > work animals > draught animal > team of 1726 J. Ayliffe 272 Nor is an Execution to proceed or extend to a Scholar's Books, or a Husbandman's Plow-Team, provided they have other Effects. 1799 J. Robertson 324 Formerly, four horses a-breast was the plough team of the highlands, and is still in use. 1896 M. T. Pearman 10 The quantity of land a plough-team will turn up in a year varies according to the soil. 1992 (CPRE) Summer 15/2 An allocation of newly cleared land to those families who had cleared and ploughed the scrub or woodland or had contributed an ox to the plough team. 1616 W. Jackson 4 The plow time by order, is first to be handeled. 1618 G. Chapman tr. Hesiod ii. 22 When therefore, first, fit plow time doth disclose. 1879 E. Arnold i. 19 Fair is the season with new leaves, bright blooms, Green grass, and cries of plough-time. 2002 (Nexis) 30 Aug. It was an old strategy to increase the diesel price at plant and plough time. 1844 H. Stephens I. 490 The black mould immediately under the plough-track had been compressed. c1950 T. H. Gaster tr. Psalm lxv in (1961) i. 78 Thy plow-tracks ooze with richness. 1999 (Nexis) 4 Sept. 2 Heavy, twisting hills, thick fields scarred with plough tracks, and luscious woodland. 1730 in XI. 226 There is also 100 Acres of Plough-Upland in very good Order. 1417 in (1904) 15 136 (MED) Item, a payr of plow whelys. a1475 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell (1845) I. 85 (MED) The conegure and the wessylle rode one a plouȝ-whylle. 1733 J. Tull xxv. 199 In plowing miry Clays, where Plow Wheels cannot go. 1859 H. Barnard 97 He pursed up his mouth, and opened his eyes, as wide and round as a plough-wheel, as they say in this country. 1992 A. Thorpe x. 247 A rusty plough-wheel has served as a champion hoop, kicking up the dust down the Fogbourne Road for a good half-mile. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ploughman or woman 1783 W. Jackson 133 Like a plough-man (or rather plough-woman) driving her plough-share. 1880 A. J. Munby p. xvi The two Yorkshire girls were..both..excellent ploughwomen. 2002 (Nexis) 29 Nov. 77 She won the general purpose class, and followed that up by being named best plough woman and winning the local ploughman section. 1588 T. Hariot sig. D4v Beech and Ashe, good for caske, hoopes: and if neede require, plow worke, as also for many things els. a1758 W. Ellis (1759) 51 I bought a horse for my cart and plough-work at Leighton-fair. 1826 B. Disraeli I. ii. xiii. 185 Mr. Leverton, I hope you find the new plough work well. 2001 C. H. Wendel 99/2 Over the years, hammers were developed especially for plow work. b. Objective. a1576 L. Nowell (1952) 158/2 Sulhæbbere, the plowe holder. 1613 G. Markham iii. B iij A stay and aide to the Plough houlder. 1765 C. Varlo 182 This..[string] performs the office both of whips and guiding reins, which makes it very easy to the plough-holder. a1869 W. H. Sylvis (1872) 241 In the West, the plough-holders predominate; in the East, the bond-holders control the political machine. 1984 37 353 On the manors belonging to the bishop of Worcester at Bibury, a plough holder received a cash wage of 8s. 0d. per annum up to 1385. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-making > plough-maker 1652 W. Blith xxviii. 190 A Plough-wright or Plough maker..cannot work true to a false foundation. 1728 S. Peirson 7 The joined Skill of the Smith, Ploughmaker, and Ploughman on the Spot ready to direct and amend them. 1857 11 Dec. 56/2 A ploughmaker who manufactures ploughs by the hundred. 1918 8 95 Suppose a banker loans his deposits to plowmakers when his farmer depositors mean to buy automobiles. 2001 C. H. Wendel 17 Styles varied from the ordinary blacksmiths' anvil to the horseshoers' anvil, to the plowmakers' anvil. c. Instrumental. 1788 E. Picken 61 Ilk plow-bred wight wad gang, dear safe us! 1871 A. C. Swinburne Hertha in 37 The plough-cloven clod. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 194 Dry vp thy Marrowes, Vines, and Plough-torne Leas. View more context for this quotation 1938 R. Lord viii. 130 Middle ground between plow-torn land of one-crop country southward, and the more diversified and meadowy farming country of the Middle Atlantic and New England. d. Similative. 1855 18 Oct. 2/1 One or two successful experiments at forcing a slap-bang passage through ice..suggested the probable advantage of a plough-shaped contrivance. 2000 (Nexis) 6 Jan. 4 Further to the right and upwards is the miniature plough-shaped Pleiades. C2. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-staff c1400 (a1376) W. Langland (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. vii. 95 My plouȝbat [v.rr. plouȝstaf, plouȝpote; plowbat; c1400 B text ploughwes foot, plow-pote; c1400 C text ix. 64 plouh-fot, plowbat] shal be my pyk & putte at þe rotis, And helpe my cultir to kerue & close þe forewis. 1912 J. Masefield v. 20 He found old Callow's plough-bat, which he took. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > hammer or implement for breaking clods a1325 (Arun.) (1857) 169 (MED) La charue si ad un maylet [glossed] the plou-betel [v.r. solwl-betel]. 1530 J. Palsgrave 256/1 Ploughe betyll, mailliet de charve. 1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 15 A plow betle, ploughstaff, to furder the plough. 1688 R. Holme iii. v. 244 Plough Beetle, Staff and Slade. Oxbores, Oxeyokes, Horse Collars. 1707 J. Mortimer (1721) I. 366/1 Plough Staff and Beetle. 1265 Manorial Documents in (1936) 34 45 Plotbene. 1377 (P.R.O.: C 135/262) m. 7 Item ibidem vj arur. voc. Ploughbenes. 1888 6 45 The local name of this bird, in the neighbourhood of Cape Kidnappers, is ‘Plough Bird’, or ‘Plough Boy’, given on account of its habit of following the farmer's plough. 1898 J. Fox 105 ‘There are mountain birds up here, too’—a polyglot chat was chuckling. ‘Hear that? My Father used to call that the “plough-bird”.’ 1862 10 Oct. (advt.) Carriage and plow bolts best quality. 1997 (Nexis) 20 Aug. 7 The range includes all of the popular crushed head, cup head, and plough bolts used in the agricultural industry. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > mouldboard > parts of 1799 M. Culley Let. 28 Nov. in M. Culley & G. Culley (2006) 39 I hope the improved plow breasts may answer well... They endeavor to harden the metal by running or milking it often over so as to make it harden to wear better. 1852 5 Jan. 12/5 (advt.) 100 plough breasts, 150 dozen blades and shares. 1884 1 Dec. 6716/2 A horned plough-breast..is recommended for ploughing after sheep. 1967 20 120 Fowlers..turned out ploughs with 200 different mould boards and 58 plough breasts. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > share-beam 1652 W. Blith xxviii. 189 Some call them the Plough throck, some the Plough-chip, &c. I shall retain the tearm of Plough-head. 1885 9 Aug. 6/2 As soon as the witch's line was passed, it is said, off went the plow chip. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-staff 1850 20 Apr. 246/4 To J. F. Reasin, of Darlington, Md., for improvement in Plow Cleaners. 1875 E. H. Knight Plow-cleaner, a long-handled thrusting implement by which the plowman may rid the plow of choking weeds, or the share of accumulated soil. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > part to which draught attached 1846 6 Nov. 49/4 A list of patents... To Samuel Wilt, of Hagerstown, Md., for improvement in the Plough Clevis. 1875 E. H. Knight Plow-clevis, the stirrup-shaped piece on the nose of a plow-beam, having three loops, in either of which the open ring of the double-tree may be placed, according to the depth of furrow desired. 1950 8 May 10/1 The most common error is to have the hitch on the plow clevis too high. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > parts to prevent wear 1350–1 in R. Stewart-Brown (1910) 196 (MED) [2 pieces of iron forged for 17] ploueclutes. c1485 Inventory in J. T. Fowler (1875) 373 ij plogh clowtes. 1613 G. Markham vii. sig. G2v Ouer and besides this Plough-slip, their are certaine other pieces of Iron which are made in the fashion of broad thinne plates, and they be called Plough clouts, and are to be nailed vpon the shelboard. 1866 J. E. T. Rogers I. xxi. 537 Flat plates of iron nailed to the wooden frame are called plough-clouts. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > part to which draught attached 1652 W. Blith xxxi. 213 Your chain that is put upon your plough-cock, or clevies. 1688 R. Holme iii. 333/2 The Plow Cock is the Iron to tye the Oxen to the Plow. 1851 J. A. Clarke in 12 381 The ploughs have each a wooden pin to connect the heel-tree with the plough-cock. 1858 30 Oct. 59/1 The rotary cutters of my machine..perform the function of the stationary plow cutters. 1907 at Plough sb.1 Plough-knife, the knife of a bookbinder's plough-cutter. 1947 9 July 10/5 (advt.) Garden tractor with plow cutter bar. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > celebration the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ploughing as part of rent > day set aside for 1550 in 7th Rep. Deputy Keeper Public Records Ireland (1875) 94 in (C. 1175) XLI. 821 [From every husbandman] vi ploughe daies, vi cart daies, iii men for a daie to repp corne in harvest. 1616 G. Markham tr. C. Estienne et al. (rev. ed.) i. vi. 20 From Plow-day, which is euer the Munday after Twelfth-day, till S. Valentines day. 1735 II. 549 The Freeholders were bound to three Plough-Days for the Lord with one Plough, which was then valued at 12 d. 1891 6 72 He was..to give one plough-day for each plough on his lands. 2002 (Nexis) 30 Dec. Tradition dictates that all decorations should be removed by Twelfth Night, January 6 also known as Plough Day, a reminder that people should be getting back to some hard work after the end of year festivities. 1768 (ed. 2) VI. 12 Those [diamonds] used for cutting looking-glass, &c. are called plough diamonds, and are fitted into a kind of plane. 1819 P. Nicholson I. ii. 46/2 Plough diamonds have a square nut on the end of the socket, next the glass, which, on running the nut square on the side of the lath, keeps it in the cutting direction. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > part to which draught attached 1510 J. Stanbridge sig. Ciiiv Auris aratri, the plough ere. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. ii The plogh eare is made of thre peces of yron nayled fast to the right syde of the plough beam. 1867 29 June 411/2 This invention consists in securing the lower end of the upright screw shaft, to which the front end of the plow-beam is secured, in the axle of the plow-ears. the world > food and drink > food > meal > feast > [noun] > feasts for other occasions the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > celebration 1355 Manorial Documents in (1936) 34 50 Item, in expensis xxiiij hominum cum viij carusis ad precarium vocatum ploufeste ad semen frumenti sufficientem ad unum repastum. 1607 E. Topsell 85 The Athenians had three seuerall plow-feastes which they obserued yearely. 1843 in J. M. McPherson (1929) 86 The plough feast consisted of milk porridge made of oatmeal and sweet milk, and bread and cheese. 1894 3 148 When the plough was first yoked for the season after harvest, bread and cheese were carried to the field and given to the ploughman. Such an entertainment was called the ‘Pleuch-Fehst’. society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > [noun] > processing > grinding 1892 J. Nasmith iv. 135 The usual solution of the difficulty is found in the formation of a tooth with a chisel or knife edge, which is presented to the action of the cotton. This is usually obtained by what is called ‘plough grinding’—that is, a method of passing between the teeth of the clothing a thin emery disc, which ‘ploughs’ deeply between them and grinds them on each side until they present a sharp edge to the cotton. 1965 W. G. Byerley et al. III. vi. 108 In addition to surface- and side-grinding, reference must be made to ‘plough-grinding’. This process was devised and patented by an English firm in 1880... The process..was superseded by the side-grinding process. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > materials having undergone process > [adjective] > ground or crushed 1896 W. S. Taggart I. vi. 176 A is the plough-ground wire, and is formed by grinding the sides away, almost to the bend, by special emery discs. ?1926 R. J. Peake (ed. 2) 65 All the sections, except round and plough ground, have been discarded because of their weakness. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ploughman or woman 1667 R. Head & F. Kirkman (rev. ed.) I. i. i. 5 Nonsence..utter'd..to abuse those brutish Plow-jobers. 1683 W. Kennett tr. Erasmus 126 Why an Ass, or a Plough-Jobber shall sooner gain it than a Wise man. 1719 T. D'Urfey I. 25 Lye safe at home, and our Plowjobbers rule. 1924 31 Aug. (Mag.) 3/2 There are so many ‘plow-jockeys’ and sorry wrecks down there in the pits. 1939 J. Madden 5 We had lots of laughs showing them Western plow jockeys some city slicker tricks. 2004 (Nexis) 24 Feb. 14 It must be easy to get your figures muddled when you are worried that a bunch of plough jockeys might duck you in effigy. 1800 (House of Commons Sel. Comm. Finance) IV. xxix. 144 J. and H. Cooper, for Plow Knives, and grinding Do. 19 s. 9 d. 1859 11 Feb. 180/2 The shredding from the plough-knife in cutting post and foolscap..is worked up again for white paper. 1975 M. Banister xi. 87 Hard Arkansas engraver's slip for honing the plow knife. 1490 in D. Yaxley (2003) 123 To the Plowlyght of Sygate xijd. 1528 in (1897) 13 ii. 201 Item. of ye increse of a plowlyght. 1781 M. J. Armstrong IX. Hundred of Tunstead 103 Here was the chapel of our Lady in the church, the guild of St Botolph, fifty holy lights, and three plough lights. 1825 W. Hone (1826) I. 73 Anciently, light called the Plough-light, was maintained..before images in some churches, and on Plough Monday they..went about with a plough..to get money to support the Plough-light. 1941–2 C. Hole iii. 32 The money collected [on Plough Monday] was spent on drinking and feasting, but in pre-Reformation times a part of it went to pay for the Plough Light, a lamp kept burning in many churches through the year, and maintained by all the husbandmen of the parish. 2012 E. Duffy 87 The maiden-lights..were regularly remembered by testators, like Alice Martyn who left 6d. to the plough-light and ‘to the daunsyng lights of the maydens to eche of them 3d.’ the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > other parts of plough the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal > traces > plough traces the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land > arable or ploughed land > border or boundary (furrow) society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > rope or cord > for specific use 1384 Manorial Documents in (1936) 34 55 (MED) Plowlyne. 1482–3 in D. Dymond (1995) I. 68 Pro v pari lez plowelynys. 1751 E. Synge 4 Oct. (1996) 381 Desire John to bespeak from Bagshaw half a stone, or a stone of Plow-line. It is like Sash Cord. 1852 C. W. Hoskyns 119 The plough-line steals up the mountain-side. 1895 Rep. Educ. Scotl. in 25 June 8/1 Hung by a loop of what is known on farms as plough-line. 1935 Z. N. Hurston i. ii. 54 Y'all lady people ain't smarter than all men folks. You got plow lines on some of us, but some of us is too smart for you. 1940 W. Faulkner i. 8 One afternoon he was in the store, cutting lengths of plow-line from a spool. 1997 (Nexis) 13 July 24 Damn those Lakeland poets,..snivelling of trees and crags and ploughlines. 1642 in (1888) 1 86 [In the old Churchwardens' Book of Waddington there is..1642, the appointment of 4]Plowmeisters... [These plough masters had in their hands certain monies called plough money, which they undertook to produce on plough day.] the world > food and drink > food > corn, cereals, or grain > [noun] 1580 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 42v Som cuntries lack plowmeat & some doe want cowmeat. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > competitive exhibition > prize medal 1837 11 31 Being desirous of encouraging improvement in this branch of husbandry, the Society will give its Silver Plough Medal to the Ploughman found to be the best at such competitions. 1844 H. Stephens I. 648 The plough medals..have..excited a spirit of emulation among ploughmen. 1871 Mar. 217/1 It was also proposed that the offer of the plough medal should be continued under the usual conditions. society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for privilege > [noun] > of ploughing 1558 in W. M. Lummis (1950) 36 Recd. of Elizabeth Rose, Widowe, on Palm Sondaie of the Plough Monye which remayned in her husband, his hands, 20s. a1613 G. Owen Baronia in (1892) i. xxiii. 195 Within Eglosserow onely..Arian Eredig, or Plowe monye, for right of ploughing. 1676 E. Coles at Plow-Monday Next after Twelfth-day, when our Northern Plow-men beg Plow-money to drink. 1848 A. B. Evans 68 To obtain ‘plough-money’ for the evening dance or festivity. 1910 G. K. Chesterton (1913) i. x. 71 Taking from them [sc. their poorer countrymen] the plough money and spade money which they were doubtless too weak to guard. 2002 (Nexis) 16 Mar. Medieval farm labourers would have pulled a plough round their local village asking for ploughmoney. 1766 Sull-paddle, a plough paddle. 1797 D. Hume I. 311 [The assailants] beat down one of the soldiers to the ground with a plough-paddle. 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) Plough-paddle,..called also a plough-staff. 1879 G. F. Jackson at Paddle A small spade-like implement which was attached to the plough for the purpose of clearing the soil from the ‘breast’ when it became clogged... Called plough-paddle more frequently. 1980 C. Ashby 43 Until the hares In trance were Clubbed with Plough paddles. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > compacted sub-soil due to repeated ploughing 1883 W. T. Lawrence i. 30 By repeatedly ploughing at about the same depth, their downward progress [sc. that of roots] is checked by the formation of a hard bottom called a plough-pan. 1924 J. A. S. Watson & J. A. More v. 86 Subsoiling is absolutely necessary where a plough-pan has been formed. 1991 (Royal Hort. Soc.) Jan. 23/1 The most likely problem, when replanting former orchard land, is soil compaction: either deep compaction, such as a plough pan, or surface compaction. 1873 W. P. Williams & W. A. Jones Plough-path, bridle-path. 1885 102 You can ride there very well, sir, if you keep to the plough-path. 1932 13 Mar. 1/7 A plow-path cut through the drifts. 1996 (Nexis) 11 Oct. 3C He also listed road and drainage repair, increased police protection, improved snow plowing, with a wider plow path, and better street lighting. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-staff 1404 in J. T. Fowler (1899) II. 399 (MED) 2 plogh pattyl. 1786 R. Burns (1968) I. 188 Or faith! I'll wad my new pleugh-pettle, Ye'll see't or lang. 1820 W. Scott II. i. 22 ‘He will take to the pleugh-pettle, neighbour,’ said the good dame. 1835 D. Webster 31 Ilka heuk, and auld pleugh pettle, They've gather'd up the country round. 1878 W. Dickinson (ed. 2) 74/1 Plu' pattle, an instrument used to clear the soil from the plough-share. society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > church dues > payment on land > on ploughed land or plough-land 1547 in J. T. Fowler (1888) III. 45 Et de x s. vj d. de redditibus vocatis Plowe pence accidentibus hoc anno. 1608 R. Armin sig. E1 Enuy..makes them stirril of all good meanes, as the Lawyer the poore clyants plow pence, the cittie the country commodities. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > plough-pillow 1707 J. Mortimer i. 38 The Plough-pin, and Collar-links..the Plough-pillar and Boulster. 1744 J. Martyn tr. Virgil i. 117 An Iron chain, fastened at one end to the plow pillow. 1907 C. J. Zintheo in L. H. Bailey I. vi. 211 (caption) Plough-pillow and Boulster. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > collar > part of 1707 J. Mortimer i. 38 The Plough-pin, and Collar-links..the Plough-pillar and Boulster. 1788 (City of London & County of Middlesex) 435/1 John White..[was] indicted for stealing..a plough pin, value 6d. a plough spindle, value 1s. [etc.]. 1907 C. J. Zintheo in L. H. Bailey I. vi. 211 (caption) Plough-pin and Collar-links. society > occupation and work > equipment > shaping tools or equipment > plane > [noun] > for cutting grooves 1645 in (1850) I. 464 Goods prysed by Gyles Smith..One plough playne. 1797 (City of London & County of Middlesex) 119/1 James Day was indicted for feloniously stealing..a pannel saw, value 4s. a plow plane, value 6s. [etc.]. 1823 P. Nicholson 248 The Plough-Plane..is used for sinking a groove in a board, by taking away a solid in the form of a rectangular prism. 1993 (new ed.) xi. 483/1 A plough plane takes narrow blades for cutting grooves. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > ploughshare the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > ploughshare > parts of 1837 4 July (advt.) Shovel Plow Moulds, Plow Points, Cast Axletrees [etc.]. 1891 C. Roberts 39 I made two or three unsuccessful attempts to get the plough point into the hard frozen ground. 1942 W. Faulkner 168 The boy first remembered him as sitting in the door of the plantation black-smith shop, where he sharpened plow-points and mended tools. 1996 F. Chappell (1997) 48 A dozen pairs of muddy boots out on the porch amidst the other truck: plow points and washtubs and dinner pails. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-staff c1400 (a1376) W. Langland (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. vii. 95 (MED) My plouȝpote [v.rr. plouȝstaf, plouȝbat, plowbat; c1400 B text ploughwes foot, plow-pote; c1400 C text ix. 64 plouh-fot, plowbat] shal be my pyk & putte at þe rotis, And helpe my cultir to kerue & close þe forewis. 1671 in J. A. Johnston (1991) 37 Shop on ye East side of ye streete—press 2 hand presses one plough one—old book shelves and other implyments. 1907 at Plough, Plow n.1 The knife of a plough-press or cutting-press. 1981 (Nexis) 8 Mar. h1 In the fourth step of trimming, the book is placed in a plough press with the rough edges exposed. 1998 (Nexis) 25 Apr. 13 He had been using an ancient wooden plough press to smooth down all the rough edges by moving a blade back and forth over the book. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > share-beam a1325 (Cambr.) (1929) 913 (MED) Pardesouz est le oroilloun [v.r. escusthoun; glossed] plou reste [v.r. plogh rest]. c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 7* M[an]. doth a plou-reste in the bem. 1552 R. Huloet Ploughe ryst [printed ryft], bura, buris. 1613 G. Markham iii. B iij b The Plough-rest..is a small peece of woode, which is fixt at one end in the further nicke of the Plough head, and the other end to the Ploughs right-hand hale. 1536 (Canterbury Cathedral Archives: CCA-U13/4) Payd for ij par' of plowgh ryppis iiij d. 1681 R. L'Estrange v. 65 Art thou then Gods Tenant, and dost owe him Knight-Service and Plough-Service. 1766 W. Blackstone II. vi. 80 Our common lawyers..derive it from soca, an old Latin word denoting (as they tell us) a plough:..that, in memory of it's original, it still retains the name of socage or plough-service. 1892 7 445 The holders of virgates in villainage, who contributed oxen to the ploughs and did plough service on the demesne land. 1985 28 716 Of burgage, he states that tenants holding under this tenure..could not give plough-service. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > part to which draught attached ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 97v A Plugh schakill. 1512 in P. A. Kennedy (1962) 7 A ploeshakkelle 4 harroez. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. ii The plough sheth is a thyn pease of drie wode made of oke yt is set fast in a mortes in the plough beam, & also into the sharbeam, ye which is the key & the chefe bande of all the plough. 1825 J. Jamieson Suppl. (at cited word) Pleuch-sheath, the head of a plough, made either of metal or of wood, on which the sock or plough-share is put when at work. [Roxburghshire] 1894 R. O. Heslop 544 Ploo-sock, the share or pointed end of a plough; it is fitted on to the ploo-sheth, and is removable. society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > payment or service to feudal superior > [noun] > payment in lieu of service > others 1423 Petition in (1907–9) 7 307 If any tenaunt erthe or ploght an acre of bonde londe holdyn after the custome of the maner, he schall pay for the acre viij d., and for harrowyng ij d.; and this is callyd ploghsilvr. 1557 in W. Fraser (1892) III. 120 Octo solidos lie pleuch siluir. 1675 280 In some places they have Plough-silver and Reap-silver, which is Socage Tenure now turned into Money. 1809 T. E. Tomlins Plow-silver, in former times, was money paid by some tenants, in lieu of service to plough the lord's lands. 1958 10 342 They paid..money for Starlode, and ploughsilver, pannage, tallage and merchet. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > soil thrown up by plough 1854 ‘F. Fern’ 70 He lost no time in securing a boy to whose verdant feet the plow-soil was still clinging. 1946 R. J. C. Atkinson i. 30 Parching too will show the position of walls, roads, etc., as light patches on bare plough-soil. 1989 May–June 24/1 Research..has been carried out..to explore the annual movement of simulated pot-sherds in the ploughsoil under a continuous arable regime. 2002 66 217 Sherds of this date were found in the ploughsoils. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough-staff 1712 D. Defoe 184 They were attack'd [on the High-Way]..by another Company of the Persons above complain'd upon..arm'd with..Plough Spades. 1853 H. Stephens 151/1 A necessary accompaniment of every plough is the plough-staff, or plough-spade, as it is called in some places. 1613 G. Markham iii. B iij The Plough spindels,..are two small round peeces of woode, which coupleth together the hales. 1788 (City of London & County of Middlesex) 435/1 John White..[was] indicted for stealing..a plough pin, value 6d. a plough spindle, value 1s. [etc.]. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > plough-beam 1587 in J. M. Bestall & D. V. Fowkes (1977) 194 6 Plaw stocks..6 quossiens..4 boards with frames. 1786 G. Washington 9 Jan. (1925) III. 5 [I] directed them to get me..scantling for Plow stocks. 1865 28 Oct. 4/2 Plow Stocks etc., made to order, on short notice. 1944 T. D. Clark 276 Centre and rear passageways were blocked with piles of iron plows..plow stocks..and axes. 2001 (Nexis) 8 Jan. 6 b His work experience began at the time of his physical growth, when he became able to see over the plow stock. the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [noun] > harness of draught animal > traces > plough traces c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 26* Lapparayle pur charue,..Plowestryngges. 1610 in J. S. Moore (1976) 42 2 olde Axes, 2 plowes stringes, an old Sullowe. a1676 M. Hale (1736) I. xliii. 509 If A. leaves his harrow or his plow-strings in the field, and B. having land in the same field useth it,..this is no felony. 1869 July 567 I was called to a man who hanged himself by means of a plough-string. 1577 R. Willes in R. Willes & R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria f. 457 Certeine reportes of the Spaniards, how they found, where they traueyled in the West Indies, plough stuffe of gold. 1610 in J. S. Moore (1976) 42 All the other boardes, plowstuffe or tymber and other Woode. 1676 in H. W. Richardson (1888) IV. f. 40 The sd Peter hath lyberty to cut down any of the Tymber trees or wood growing..on the sd land for building, fireing fencing or plow stuffe. 1652 W. Blith xxviii. 189 Some call them the Plough throck, some the Plough-chip, &c. I shall retain the tearm of Plough-head. the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of area > [noun] > a system or process of measuring land > carucate and equivalents a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. ccxxii. f. cxliii A Knyghtes fee shuld welde c. & lx. acres, and that is demed for a ploughe tyll in a yere. 1516 in M. Livingstone (1908) I. 432/2 The gyft of the ward of all the twa part of ane pleuch tilth of the landis of Ardoune. 1545 II. f. 34 His cornis that grew..apon his landis..extending to ane plewcht-tilth ȝerlie. 1597–1602 104 Every person occupying a plough-tilth of land. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > plough-tail or stilt 1799 J. Ebers III. 212/2 The Ring which fastens the Coulter to the Plough-Tree. 1869 R. D. Blackmore III. xxii. 317 I..held my plough-tree, just the same as if no King, nor Queen, had ever come to spoil my..hand. 1992 96 259/1 His principal attribute has been identified as a yoke or plough-tree, but not a conventional one. 2005 D. L. Drysdall in tr. Erasmus XXXV. 393 (note) The plough-tree is the curved piece of wood to which the blade or ‘share’ is attached. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > ditch [verb (intransitive)] the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > preparation of land or soil > ditching or drainage > ditch [verb (transitive)] 1712 J. Mortimer ii. i. 8 It may be done by one Plough's making of a deep Furrow, and another following in the same Furrow, or by Plough-trenching, which is for a Plough to make a deep Furrow; and to have eight or ten Men with Spades to follow the Plough, and make the Trench a spit deeper. 1765 4 174 Instead of digging it with the spade, I plough-trenched it at least eighteen inches deep. 1868 25 Jan. 62/1 The hinged share..of a snow plow, connected by means of a jointed rod or rods..with a crank or cranks..on the axle of the plow truck. a1877 E. H. Knight II. 1748/2 Plow-truck, a riding attachment to a plow. 1912 22 Jan. (advt.) We sell..the ‘Winner’ Plow Truck. 1948 25 Jan. 5 The department..said all roads were open but called 800 plow-trucks and 1,200 men to duty. 2005 (Nexis) 8 Jan. 12 Van Breda is using four graders, three plow trucks, three loader plows..and three sidewalk plows to clear the snow. the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > work animals > draught animal 1465 M. Paston in (2004) I. 295 Youre seyd seruauntys at that tyme toke hys plowe-ware, that ys to say ij marys. 1465 M. Paston in (2004) I. 296 There was taken a playnt a-yenst hem..for takyng of the forseyd plowarre. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022). ploughn.2 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: plough v. Etymology: < plough v. (see plough v. 10). colloquial (originally University slang). Now rare. society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > marks > failing a candidate 1863 C. Reade I. ii. 52 It is only out of Oxford a plough is thought much of. 1897 3 Nov. 10/1 In the..Bar examination, the percentage of ploughs is..9 per cent...ploughed in Roman Law, and 20 per cent. in Constitutional History. 1899 1 June 10/1 There has been the usual plough in the final of about 36 per cent. a1935 J. R. R. Tolkien in (2002) 41 [It] is more wholly unlike that poem [sc. The Dream of the Rood] than the versions of plough-candidates in a provincial university. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022). ploughplowv.Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: plough n.1 Etymology: < plough n.1 Compare Middle Dutch, Dutch ploegen , Middle Low German plȫgen , Middle High German pflüegen (German pflügen ), Old Icelandic plœgja , Old Swedish plöghia (Swedish plöja ), Old Danish pløje , pløve , ploghæ (Danish pløje ). Compare earlier ploughing n., ploughed adj.The β. forms show the expected development in inflected forms (see discussion at plough n.1), and are commoner than α. forms in the 16th and 17th centuries; from the 18th cent., the spellings follow those of the noun, with plough usual in England, plow in the U.S. In sense 10 apparently a more expressive slang substitute for pluck v. 8a. It has been suggested that the following may be an antedating ( Middle Eng. Dict. s.v. plŏuen v. suggests a gloss ‘of fish:?to make furrows on the surface of water’: compare sense 5), but it seems much more likely that it shows a use of play v. (see forms at that entry):c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) 892 Wind stod on willen, ploȝede [c1300 Otho pleyde] þe wilde fisc. To use or act as a plough (in literal and extended senses). 1. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] 1423 Petition in (1907–9) 7 307 (MED) If any tenaunt erthe or ploght an acre of bonde londe holdyn after the custome of the maner, he schall pay for the acre viij d. a1500 (a1460) (1897–1973) 11 That we had ployde [read ploȝde] this land. 1523 J. Fitzherbert ii. f. 2 It is conuenyent that they be plowen and sowen. 1530 J. Palsgrave 660/2 I wyll ploughe all the lande I have in your towne to yere. 1595 F. Sabie sig. B3 A large ground now haue I plowed. 1607 J. Norden iv. 181 As much as 2. oxen could plow. 1668 Duchess of Newcastle Presence 93 in Having..plowed all his Meadows, Pastures, and Parks; to ask Twenty thousand pounds, is unconscionable! 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil 432 Those who Plow the rich Sutulian Lands. 1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont 133 Once Ploughing the Land..will..be sufficient. 1759 J. Mills tr. H. L. Duhamel du Monceau i. vii. 17 It is plowed into high-ridges with a strong plow. 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre (1799) I. 361 As much land as a yoke of oxen could plough in one day. 1856 R. W. Emerson xiii. 218 No court can be held, no field ploughed, no horse shod, without some leave from the church. 1880 215 They have plowed and fitted for grain-growing 3,000 acres. 1917 S. Sassoon 6 The farmers were all ploughing their old pasture. 1937 Apr. 98/4 Jones..had the middle of his lawn ploughed and harrowed and the garden moved into it, somewhat nearer the house. 1992 R. Kenan iii. 61 If Morton Henry wants to plow the west field on Sunday afternoon, well, it's his soul, not mine. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > of a furrow: plough 1677 R. Plot 243 There is a sort of tillage..which they call streak-fallowing; the manner is, to plough one furrow and leave one. 1797 I. 286/2 By casting, that is, by ploughing two ridges together beginning at the furrow that separates them. 1810 W. Amos ii. 18 [A machine] for ploughing Furrows nine by five inches square. a1862 F. J. O'Brien (1881) 39 The teams that ploughed the furrows stopped; The ox refreshed his lolling tongue. 1908 3 292 He can't plough a furrow without bobbling from one side of the row to the other. 1995 S. Marty vi. 100 My grandparents..broke the sod with two moldboard walking plows, each pulled by a workhorse. He plowed one furrow, and she plowed the next. 2. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] c1450 (1905) II. 437 (MED) Kyng Avidus..taght men to plew & to saw whete & oþer cornys. ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 97v To Plugh [1483 BL Add. 89074 Plowghe], arare. 1535 Prov. xx. A A slouthfull body wyl not go to plowe for colde. ?1570 T. Drant sig. Dij Our foreelders..plowed, and sowed, made furrowes, and mowed. 1611 Job i. 14 The oxen were plowing [ Coverdale a plowinge], and the asses feeding beside them. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 75 The Cockle of Rebellion, Insolence, Sedition, Which we our selues haue plowed for, sow'd. 1685 R. Baxter 2 Tim. ii. 6 The Husbandman must labour (plow, sow, &c.) before he reap and gather the Fruit. 1720 185 I have seen..one Man plowing with one Horse; which..saves a Number of Money. 1785 H. Swinburne II. xliv. 305 Twenty-three pair of oxen were ploughing together within a square of thirty acres. 1837 Dec. 525/1 You then begin on that which was not ploughed all through, ploughing with the double furrow. 1868 J. Ruskin 8 A man taught to plough, row or steer well,..[is] already educated in many essential moral habits. 1915 A. S. Neill i. 11 These boys are going out to the fields to plough. 1982 A. A. Mister ii. 34 You want to know how to keep your tractor rolling whether ploughing..or..carrying out..fork lift operations. the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > lie fallow [verb (intransitive)] > admit of being ploughed 1762 J. Mills I. 152 It ploughed very tough, and the cattle mired in some places. 1801 Apr. 125 Land of a strong retentive nature..will not plough to any purpose when perfectly dry. 1847 8 ii. 571 The land generally ploughs up in a friable state. 1864 25 ii. 528 The clover-lands..ploughed remarkably well. 1535 Job iv. 8 Those that plowe wickednesse [1611 King James iniquity, 1970 New Eng. mischief; L. qui operantur iniquitatem]..and sowe myschefe, they reape ye same. 1553 T. Wilson tr. Erasmus 29 What punishment is he worthy to suffer, that refuseth to Plough that lande, whiche beyng tilled, yeldeth children. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Erasmus in 342 The soyle of his inuention, memorie, and iudgement, is so ordinarily ploughed with practise and experience. 1609 W. Shakespeare xix. 170 And if shee were a thornyer peece of ground then shee is, shee shall be plowed. 1610 II. Ecclus. vii. 13 Plowe not a lie [L. noli arare mendacium] agaynst thy brother. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. ii. 235 Royall Wench: She made great Cæsar lay his Sword to bed, He ploughed her, and she cropt. View more context for this quotation c1639 T. Dekker & J. Ford (1656) ii. 10 Becken the Rurals in, the Country-gray Seldom ploughs treason. a1674 J. Milton To Cromwell in (1694) p. xlv Cromwell..that through a Croud..To Peace and Truth, thy Glorious way hast Plough'd. 1785 W. Cowper i. 710 With nice incision..She ploughs a brazen field, and clothes a soil So sterile with what charms soe'er she will. 1838 R. W. Emerson 10 Jesus..whose name is not so much written as ploughed into the history of this world. 1884 F. P. Cobbe in Dec. 805 Out of hearts ploughed by contrition spring flowers. ?1927–8 J. Fliesler 118 This old roué had been especially anxious to plow a virgin field for once in his life. 1994 11 Sept. a6/1 We really are plowing new ground here. 4. In extended uses. the world > space > shape > unevenness > condition or fact of receding > form a recess in [verb (transitive)] > form (a groove) 1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ sig. Cjv God shall..punish euery forrow they haue plowed vpon his backe. 1790 H. Murphy 244 Beneath his ribs a ball swift ploughs its course. 1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous iii, in 4th Ser. III. 271 The course which the river had ploughed for itself down the valley. 1855 C. Kingsley 14 It was..the stones fallen from Snowdon peak into the half-liquid lake of ice above, which ploughed those furrows. 1873 P. G. Hamerton (1875) ii. i. 51 The line-engraver..month after month, ploughs slowly his marvellous lines. 1925 Feb. 6/1 One long street plowed its sandy way between rickety stores and shambling frame houses. 1974 R. Wiebe 151 He watches him tie Millen's legs together..and drag him backwards, plowing a long furrow. 2001 8 Feb. ii. 7/3 The home-made weapon had been thrust into the victim's face with such force that the steel edge had ploughed a deep furrow across the bones of his cheek and jaw. the world > space > shape > unevenness > condition or fact of receding > form a recess in [verb (transitive)] > form (a groove) > make grooves in 1594 W. Shakespeare iv. ii. 86 Sooner this sword shall plow [1623 plough] thy bowels vp. View more context for this quotation 1740 W. Somervile ii. 84 Th' insidious Swain..Fell prone and plough'd the Dust. 1785 W. Cowper v. 50 His dog..snatches up the drifted snow With ivory teeth, or ploughs it with his snout. 1856 J. H. Newman i. 2 The Bagradas..ploughed the rich and yielding mould with its rapid stream. 1873 H. B. Tristram xvi. 300 Ravines which plough the bowels of the rocks. 1915 H. James Let. 14–15 May in H. James & E. Wharton (1990) vi. 340 The garden of the Hospital (which is all ploughed up with shells). 1993 A. C. Clarke 39 The lunar topsoil, ploughed by aeons of meteor bombardment. 5. Of a ship, sailor, swimming animal, etc. society > travel > travel by water > [verb (transitive)] the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > move in or on water [verb (transitive)] > cleave the water 1589 G. Peele 5 With stretching sayles to plowe the swelling waues. 1595 F. Sabie sig. Ev They tooke it, ploughd the seas, and in short time..were set on land againe. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 49 'Tis thou that rigg'st the Barke, and plow'st the Fome. View more context for this quotation 1633 P. Fletcher i. xxxvi. 10 Vain men..who plough the seas, With dangerous pains another earth to finde. 1698 J. Fryer 24 Once again committing ourselves to the Sea, we ploughed deeper Water. a1732 J. Gay (1738) II. viii. 71 When naval traffick plows the main. 1782 W. Cowper Loss Royal George x, in (1835–7) X. 2 He and his eight hundred Shall plough the wave no more. 1832 W. Macgillivray xvi. 216 The river was ploughed by porpoises, and the shore crowded with aquatic birds. 1872 ‘M. Twain’ lxii. 446 He was seventy-two years old and had plowed the salt water sixty-one of them. 1920 F. S. Fitzgerald ii. iv. 261 The sea..seemed still to whisper of Norse galleys ploughing the water world under raven-figured flags. 1961 282/2 New Bedford whalers plowing the waters of Hudson Bay were frequently crewed by Aivilik Eskimos. 2002 (Nexis) 9 Dec. v. 10 We will momentarily be boarding the grandest ship ever to plow the ocean waters. society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > cleave the surface of water a1658 J. Cleveland (1687) 239 Thence arm'd with Scorn & Courage ploughs away Through the impostum'd Billows of the Sea. 1840 R. H. Dana ii. 16 She..left us to plough on through our waste of waters. 1850 C. Lyell (ed. 2) II. 154 These streams..spread out into broad superficial sheets or layers, which the keels of vessels plough through. 1867 2 He had ‘ploughed over many a stormy sea’. 1897 30 117/1 A few tugs plowing up stream left behind them wakes. 1919 W. S. Maugham xlvii. 207 The ship..ploughed East through the wintry sea. 1955 17 Aug. 10/5 Ploughing across the..water tank was the cabin cruiser Alert, under the remote control of her builder. 1990 Apr. 55/3 Sirius will be ploughing out to sea again with the green vigilantes. 1696 M. Prior 56 On..Britain's joyful sea, Behold, the monarch ploughs his liquid way. 1780 W. Cowper 522 Give me the line [of verse] that plows its stately course Like a proud swan, conquering the stream by force. 1856 E. K. Kane I. xviii. 228 Ploughing its way with irresistible march through the crust of an investing sea. 1873 W. Black ii. 19 The steamer..ploughed her way across the blue and rushing waters of the Minch. a1933 J. A. Thomson (1934) I. i. 3 The whalebone whale, sixty feet long, ploughing its leisurely way in the ocean at the rate of four miles an hour. 1990 (Sabena Airlines) July 17/1 Cruise liners plough the long-sailed routes into Grand Harbour. the world > life > the body > skin > textures or states of skin > [verb (transitive)] > wrinkle 1590 T. Lodge sig. B3v Turning his head ascance, and bending his browes as if anger there had ploughed the furrowes of her wrath. 1639 J. Shirley i. sig. B4 Time hath let fall cold snow upon my haires, Ploughed on my browes the furrowes of his anger. 1674 T. Flatman 8 When incompassionate Age shall plow The delicate Amira's brow. 1725 A. Ramsay v. iii. 82 Has Fifeteen Years so plow'd, A wrinkled Face that you have often view'd. 1742 A. Pope 198 Before them march'd that awful Aristarch, Plow'd was his front with many a deep Remark. 1819 Ld. Byron v. 190 A port, not like to this ye see, But smooth, as all is rugged now; For time, and care, and war, have plough'd My very soul from out my brow. 1837 C. A. Wheelwright tr. Aristophanes I. 56 (note) Her face..rough, and ploughed with wrinkles. 1857 J. G. Holland xix. 218 Jealousy and pride..ploughed no furrows across her brow. 1891 T. Hardy II. xxxiv. 187 Lines of concern were ploughed upon his forehead in addition to the lines of years. 1991 (Nexis) 30 Mar. 25 In the case of Shaw, Michael Holroyd will have spent 20 years ploughing furrows into the same brow. 1664 T. Killigrew Parsons Wedding ii. vii, in 107 Is't not a sad sight to see a rich young Beauty..subject to some rough rude Fellow, that ploughs her, and esteems and uses her as a chattel? 1708 E. Ward 86 She ploughs with some gallant. 1837 33 O lor, what a yard! she cried, with a grin..And insisted that Jack plough the wide C. 1922 J. Joyce ii. xv. [Circe] 528 Plough her! More! Shoot! 1964 J. Pearl x. 316 Isn't that the broad Charlie Larkin plowed? 1979 T. Keneally vi. 55 What do I do? Leave the maternity ward, go out to a party, plough some girl? 1997 P. Carey (1998) xlvi. 167 Edward Constable had been..reamed, rogered, ploughed by Henry Phipps so [that] he could barely walk straight to the table. 8. society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > movement of vehicles > move or go along [verb (intransitive)] > have characteristic motion > move clumsily or out of control 1718 A. Pope in tr. Homer IV. xiv. 480 But whirling on, with many a fiery round, Smoaks in the Dust, and ploughs into the Ground. 1841 C. Dickens i. iv. 90 A little wooden counting-house burrowing all awry in the dust as if it had fallen from the clouds and ploughed into the ground. 1869 ‘M. Twain’ xliv. 460 The narrow streets swarmed..with men and women.., and our small donkeys knocked them right and left as we plowed through them. 1874 E. P. Roe xxiii. 516 With a crash like thunder the seeming phantom-ship ploughs into the steamer's side. 1898 H. G. Wells i. xvi. 151 The engines of the trains..ploughed through shrieking people, and a dozen stalwart men fought to keep the crowd from crushing the driver against his furnace. 1960 26 Sept. 1/8 (heading) Stock car ploughs into 10-deep crowd. 1973 31 Dec. 5/5 The airliner..ploughed to a halt on the runway. 1982 A. Tyler ii. 61 Crowds of other people were shopping too—plowing past with their arms full of packages. a1985 P. White (2003) 363 A few yards beyond a German half track had ploughed into the ditch and turned on its back. the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move progressively in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > through soft ground 1847 J. S. Le Fanu 209 Drenched in inky slime..Miles Garrett ploughed and floundered to the other side. 1876 A. H. Green (1877) iv. §5. 160 Icebergs which after they had run aground and ploughed into the bottom [of the deposits of boulder clay]. 1894 G. M. Fenn II. 246 Deane came ploughing through the snow up to the window. 1927 Baroness Orczy i. 5 Travellers had..come ploughing through inches of dust in the old coche. 1959 23 July 1/6 The Prime Minister..gave the House the impression that he was ploughing, with as much force and gaiety as he could muster, through an almost impenetrable bog. 1992 Mar. 55/1 Only Bristol and Saracens went ahead, the West Country club ploughing forcibly through the mud at the Memorial Ground to see off their opponents 13–6. the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)] > with endurance or persistence the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > toil > steadily or dully 1891 C. T. C. James 40 He never ceased speaking... In a monotonous tone, he ploughed solemnly onward, oblivious. 1897 C. M. Flandrau 30 He could..fancy himself ploughing doggedly in self-defence through an incredible number of courses in history. 1952 C. Bardsley xi. 119 I almost said ‘plough through’ the Bible. 1975 D. Nobbs (1976) 23 The second plate of ravioli didn't taste as good as the first, but Reggie ploughed on gamely. 1987 W. Greider i. vi. 205 It got to the point later where the committee members would literally laugh at him... Larry would smile and plow on. 2003 5 Feb. 20/7 I spent a dreary weekend ploughing through London: Cultural Capital's 170-odd pages. 9. To cut and remove extraneous material from (a thing) with a plough, in any of various technical or mechanical processes (cf. plough n.1 5). society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > build or construct with wood [verb (transitive)] > cut or furnish with tongue or groove 1740 204 Ditto [sc. deal doors] plough'd, tongu'd, ledg'd, per foot Square—0 [l] 0 [s] 7 [d]. 1805 R. W. Dickson I. 47 It is a good method to..unite the different planks by ploughing and tonguing. 1866 G. MacDonald xiii The carpenter..was ploughing away at a groove. 1875 J. Lukin 104 A groove being ploughed under the over-hanging edge to cause the rain to drip clear of the wall. 1988 97/3 Although these planes equate with our rebate planes, they are mainly used in Japan by carpenters for ploughing the tracking for sliding doors and screens. 1991 Mar. 13/2 (advt.) Combined with the optional attachments the DeWalt Powershop..can then groove, plough, rebate, tenon [etc.]. society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > bind [verb (transitive)] > other processes 1873 E. Spon 1st Ser. 395/2 The cutting press stands on a hollow frame..which..receives the paper shavings as they are ploughed off. 1951 L. Town vii. 125 Ploughing a book before all these details are correct is quite fatal. 1978 A. W. Johnson v. 69 Plough off the minimum as overcutting spoils the appearance of the printed page. 1989 P. Richmond (1995) viii. 96 It is useful to know how to plough, particularly if you make up blank books of your own. 1890 Plow, to cut or gash (a fish) with the plow or rimmer. society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > cut (coal) > specific method 1950 109 256 The first train of thought was to plough machine-cut coal on to a face conveyor. 1951 H. F. Banks in E. Mason (ed. 2) I. viii. 123/2 This device carries steel blades which shear or plane off the coal to a limited depth and ploughs it on to the face conveyor. 1964 A. Nelson 335 Hard anthracite is being ploughed with only water infusion to soften the coal. society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > work with tools or equipment [verb (transitive)] > other tools or equipment 1961 ‘E. Lathen’ xii. 99 ‘Don't know why they can't plow these streets,’ he muttered as he pulled into the single lane left by the piles of snow. 1978 23 Jan. 12/7 There was..slush and compacted snow on roads the ploughs had not reached. It says much for the authorities in West Virginia..that they had ploughed all but about 40 miles of my route. 1990 D. Folster xiv. 173 He could use the car only in summer..because the roads weren't ploughed in winter. society > education > educational administration > examination > examine a candidate [verb (transitive)] > fail a candidate 1854 ‘C. Bede’ (ed. 2) xi. 100 It's impossible for them to plough me. 1863 C. Reade Prol. 16 That..adds to my chance of being ploughed for smalls... ‘Ploughed’ is the new Oxfordish for ‘plucked’. 1883 1 June 4 My young friend was undeservedly ploughed. 1946 4 July He ploughs Latin. 1979 P. Larkin in 1 Nov. 12/2 Not many people plough Greats at 21 and become a professor of Latin at 33. 1988 E. Longford (1988) iv. 58 He..confided his fears to Alec that his atrocious handwriting might cause the examiners to plough him. Phrases1535 Judges xiv. 18 Yf ye had not plowed with my calfe [1560 Geneva heiffer, 1611 King James, 1970 New Eng. heifer, 1976 Good News cow], ye shulde not haue founde out my ryddle. ?a1563 W. Baldwin (1570) Ded. sig. A.ij I doubt whether master Streamer wilbe contented that other men plowe with his oxen. a1640 P. Massinger (1658) ii. iii. 14 I will undertake To find the North-passage to the Indies sooner, Then plough with your proud Heifer. 1655 in E. Nicholas (1892) II. 172 If he doe not, wee will plough with his heifer as well as with others. 1677 R. Gilpin i. x. 77 Satan..plows with our Heifer. 1712 E. Ward i. 40 There..he [sc. a hanged thief] swung, And hung..To deter the Country Gaffers From ploughing with their Neighbours Heifers. 1762 E. Farneworth tr. N. Machiavelli II. i. 136 Only some few, who had there own heifer to plow with, being initiated into them, were able to expound them. 1981 P. Theroux iii. 26 ‘You talk to him, Charlie. He won't listen to me.’ ‘Don't plough with my heifer,’ Father said. the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > be of no avail [verb (intransitive)] > expend effort in vain a1565 T. Chaloner (1804) II. 381 Why shold I seke to plowe the sand Whose print the flood replyeth. 1590 R. Greene ii. sig. E4 With sweating browes I long haue plowde the sandes..Repent hath sent me home with emptie hands. 1609 T. Heywood xii. 309 For comming where Vlisses Plowd the Sand, And steer'd the crooked Rafter with his hand. 1647 Bp. J. Taylor Ep. Ded. 5 That I had as good plow the Sands, or till the Aire, as perswade such Doctrines, which destroy mens interests. 1756 E. Moore xv. 149 Lays up wealth in foreign land, Sows the sea, and plows the sand. 1775 J. Wesley 15 Nov. I preached at Dorking. But still I fear we are ploughing upon the sand: we see no fruit of our labours. 1813 J. Belfour (ed. 5) 75 Provberbial Phrases adopted from the Greeks, applicable to human Follies, Absurdities, or Pursuits. He ploughs the air. He washes the Ethiopian [etc.]. 1894 H. H. Asquith 21 Nov. All our time, all our labour, and all our assiduity is as certain to be thrown away as if you were to plough the sands of the seashore, the moment that the Bill reaches the Upper Chamber. 1903 R. Kipling 50 We shall harness horses (Death's own pale horses) and scholarly plough the sands. 1993 June 41/3 CN's attempts to preserve passenger service were an expensive exercise in ploughing the sand, or, literally, running empty trains. 1901 Ld. Rosebery in 20 July 15/5 I must proceed alone. I must plough my furrow alone. 1921 S. de Madariaga in J. E. C. Flitch tr. M. de Unamuno p. xx Unamuno lives in Salamanca very much as Wordsworth lived in the Lake District..hence in both a certain proclivity towards ploughing a solitary furrow and becoming self-centred. 1952 A. Wilson ii. ii. 129 At any rate, he'll have a supporter at last... He ploughs such a lonely furrow. 1978 Nov. 39/2 No easy task, with everybody else ploughing the same furrow. 1993 I. Welsh 241 I liked Tom; he ploughed a lonely furrow, always trying to be positive. Phrasal verbs With adverbs in specialized senses. to plough around U.S. slang. figurative. rare. the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > be cautious or take care [verb (intransitive)] > proceed with caution 1888 J. Bryce II. lxx. 557 The more skilful leaders begin (as it is expressed) to ‘plough around’ among the delegations of the newer..States. to plough back 1864 25 291 The fallows are broken up in the autumn.., ploughed back in spring, then twice across, and bouted in 27-inch ridges. 1890 23 July 3/2 Last fall it was too dry to plough back for wheat. 1949 25 204/2 Remnants are ploughed back into the soil which helps to maintain a high humus content. 2002 (Nexis) 20 Sept. 85 The first relies on grazing typical improved upland pasture—it was ploughed back in 1985 and reseeded with ryegrass. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > invest > in specific way 1912 10 July 12/3 The management did not embrace the first opportunity to increase the payment on its shares. Instead, the surplus was plowed back into the property, as railroad men say. 1930 24 May 1172/2 The extensive resort of American managements to the practice of ‘ploughing back earnings into the business’ further emphasises this tendency. 1976 30 July 11/4 He would not consider ploughing some of the £4 million back into the services and said he hoped the kitty would increase. 1992 D. Glazer 7 Oh, they don't pay me, he'd said, I just have to ask if I want anything—everything has to be ploughed back into the business. transitive. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > bury by ploughing 1743 34 Sow the Rye above the Dung, plow it down with an ebb Fur, (which is termed under-fur Sowing). 1765 A. Dickson (ed. 2) i. xv. 126 On a part of a field where whins were plowed down. 1772 Useful Projects109/2 That unlevel pastures may be ploughed down without any injury. 1805 R. Forsyth I. 258 To plough down clover ley in a pretty rough state as a most advantageous preparation for wheat. 1869 D. Mackintosh iv. ii. 89 Many terraces are still cultivated but..there is..a general desire to plough down the ‘lynchets’ (as they are locally called), and..formerly their number was much greater than at present. 1918 No. 1006. 2 This jointworm can be controlled in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky by plowing down wheat stubble deeply after harvest. 1949 A. E. Trueman x. 139 Major Gordon Fowler who has called attention to these sinuous silt banks believes that many have been ploughed down. 2003 (Nexis) 19 Aug. 42 The situation will then improve as about 75 per cent of black-grass seed ploughed down will loose viability each year. the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > pressing, pressure, or squeezing > press or squeeze [verb (transitive)] > crush > trample down 1877 28 July 475/4 The anchored schooners and smacks on the Great Bank, any one of which would be ploughed down by this huge vessel. 1955 17 May 4/4 The jury must..have been quite satisfied Murtagh intended to plough down one or other of these people. 1995 C. Sagan xiv. 257 We find an army of old ideas plowed down by an armamentarium of new facts. to plough in the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > bury by ploughing 1764 2 172 When a farmer intends to plow in his vetches, I would..advise him to do it some weeks before he sows his wheat. 1792 E. L'Hommedieu Exper. on Manures in 64 There appears to be no material difference in the crop produced from the weed taken directly from the creek and ploughed in, and that taken from the heap. 1847 8 i. 62 Others spread the dung on the surface and plough it in. 1910 I. 388/2 The seed appears to have been sometimes ploughed in, and at other times to have been covered by harrowing. 1955 K. Hutton & A. Swallow xiii. 183 In the famous Norfolk rotation of roots, barley, clover and wheat, the clover roots are ploughed in once every four years as green manure. 1981 B. Head xxiii. 153 The seed was first broadcast on the land and then ploughed in. 1854 H. D. Thoreau 8 The better part of the man is soon ploughed into the soil for compost. 1895 B. Sedgwick in 12 Sept. 4/3 He ploughed his capital into the land, and it never came out. 1945 16 Jan. 12/1 L. P. Sharples..declared that it was important for the municipalities to plow money into airparks and small strips near the center of their communities. 1956 2 Mar. 4/6 Duquesne is plowing money into what is really a laboratory and pilot plant. 1979 P. Carey 251 He planned to..plough an equivalent amount into promotions. 1990 June 76/1 A green manure crop is a grass or legume that is plowed into the soil or surface-mulched at the end of a growing season to enhance soil productivity and tilth. 2001 14 Sept. 4/1 For years producers have ploughed money into projects from food assurance schemes to traceability systems. the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > pull out or up > violently tear out or up the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] the world > the earth > structure of the earth > formation of features > erosion or weathering > erode [verb (transitive)] > cut channels or holes 1591 R. Greene sig. F Oft haue I heard my Father saie..that a husbandman plowed out of the ground three things, wealth, health and quiet, which..is more worth then a kinges ransome. 1643 J. Bramhall 91 We see Farmers which have a long terme, will husband their grounds well; but they that are but Tenents at will, plough out the very heart of it. 1643 J. Milton 43 God loves not to plow out the heart of our endeavours with over-hard and sad tasks. a1647 T. Habington (Worcs. Hist. Soc.) (1895) I. iii. 504 Ploughed out of obscure antiquities I will now vse the true name. 1656 J. Harrington 233 Ploughing out the ranknesse of her Aristocracy by your Agrarian, you will find her an inexhaustible Magazine of Men. a1722 E. Lisle (1752) 314 His bullish nature will be ploughed out in three years. 1771 J. S. Morrit in A. Hunter et al. (new ed.) II. vii. 139 Two acres of rich sand land, which the year before had been ploughed out of swarth. 1833 J. Holland II. 106 The workman..ploughs out the gutter for the lodgment of the barrel [of a gun]. 1863 C. Lyell xiv. 266 A third period when the marine boulder drift formed in the middle period was ploughed out of the larger valleys by a second set of glaciers. 1886 A. Winchell 54 These North-American rivers have plowed out channels whose deep walls rise as high as the smoke from the steamers. 1914 E. P. Stewart xx. 214 We had a man to break the ground and cover the potatoes for her... That was all that was done until digging time, when they were ploughed out and Jerrine picked them up. 1967 T. Hughes ii. 53 There were plenty [of stones] here, piled and scattered where they had been ploughed out of the field. 1985 H. J. M. Bowen in R. Fitter iv. 58 The native purple milkvetch has been ploughed out near Chilton. 1994 Nov. (Touch the Arctic Adventure Tours '95) 6/2 You'll travel along a winter road ploughed out every winter across frozen lakes. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] > bury by ploughing the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > bury by ploughing 1827 25 Jan. It is then ploughed under with a shallow furrow. 1860 Dec. 362/3 The chief reliance is placed on plowing under green crops, and on swamp-muck. 1900 379 If crimson clover is grown, it should be plowed under rather early in the spring to get the best results. 1947 D. H. Robinson (ed. 2) i. 6 When a clover root is ploughed under and decays, the soil becomes enriched with combined nitrogen which acts as a fertilizer to subsequent crops. 1993 15 Apr. 1/1 Preservationists blocking bulldozers with their bodies, builders plowing under history..mark the extremes of an age-old battle. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] 1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid iii. f. 2 His skaled brest ploughes vp the ground. 1590 T. Fenne f. 71 Hee caused the ground thereabout to be plowed vp. 1601 Bp. W. Barlow 45 For he..hath plowed vp my hart. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. xiii. 38 Let Patient Octauia, plough thy visage vp With her prepared nailes. View more context for this quotation 1653 I. Walton xii. 222 About All-hollantide..when you see men ploughing up heath-ground. View more context for this quotation 1718 W. Lowth iv. 3 The Prophet..exhorts them to Repentance and Reformation under the Metaphor of Plowing up their fallow Ground. 1774 O. Goldsmith III. 172 The wild boar plows it [sc. the earth] up like a furrow, and does irreparable damage in the cultivated lands. 1817 W. Selwyn (ed. 4) II. 1245 If..the owner of a close over which there is a right of way plough up the way, and assign a new way. 1860 J. Abbott I. i. 43 When such a glacier has its lower termination in a valley it sometimes ploughs up the ground before it, and deposits stones. a1895 Ld. C. E. Paget (1896) i. 8 Her decks were literally ploughed up with grape shot. 1918 W. Cather v. iii. 417 Pastures where the land was so rough that it had never been ploughed up. 1993 Jan. 28/2 The Government..has passed laws to stop farmers who plough up paths. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < |
