Illustration of scythe
scythe
1 of 2noun
ˈsīṯẖ 
ˈsī
ˈsī : an implement used for mowing grass, grain, or other crops and composed of a long curving blade fastened at an angle to a long handle
scythe
2 of 2verb
scythed; scything
intransitive verb
: to use a scythe
transitive verb
: to cut with or as if with a scythe
scything cornstalks
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 This costume even includes the scythe for extra horror. Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 11 Aug. 2022 This may look like an enticing button to press—an immediate cost cutting scythe that appears to balance the books in one swipe. Tom Gibby, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Gaiman's grim reaper eschewed a cloak and scythe for a black tank top and a spunky attitude — inspiring many young goths in the process. Christian Holub, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2022 His grandfather had cut hay by hand, using a scythe, and had driven a plow pulled by a team of horses. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 The only thing that could be simpler would be me out there swinging a scythe back and forth — or releasing a herd of sheep to crop at the blades of grass. John Kelly, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 Do not pick up the scythe even as Eris is yelling at you to do so. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 June 2022 Saul passes through its streets in a black cowl and a mask, looking like a scythe-less Grim Reaper. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 17 Nov. 2021 Larger-voltage mowers can even scythe through 8,000 to 10,000 square feet. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 14 Oct. 2021 Jones is as formidable as ever, and Vincent D’Onofrio gives a sombre and riveting portrayal of Jerry Falwell, the Baptist Savonarola, who doesn’t hesitate to scythe down the Bakkers for their sins. Anthony Lan, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2021 Many live in crowded, unsanitary camps, creating fears COVID-19 could scythe through a vulnerable population. Reuters, CNN, 6 Nov. 2020 Covid-19 continues to scythe through the halls of long-term care facilities despite an array of safety measures and bans on visitors, put in place months ago to slow the devastation. New York Times, 30 Oct. 2020 Things started rather nicely for the Red Devils as Caglar Soyuncu scythed down Rashford in the area, and the England international stepped up to fire home the resulting spot-kick... SI.com, 14 Sep. 2019 The virus is scything through its aged population and its hospitals are straining from a rush of patients. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 12 Mar. 2020 But its explosive power gives it the muscle of a gas-engine machine for mowing down the tall stuff and scything through weeds and saplings. Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, 18 Mar. 2020 See More
Noun
When word of the rapes got out, young mother Mariche (Jessie Buckley) grabbed a scythe and attacked the culprits. Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 This costume even includes the scythe for extra horror. Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 11 Aug. 2022 This may look like an enticing button to press—an immediate cost cutting scythe that appears to balance the books in one swipe. Tom Gibby, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Gaiman's grim reaper eschewed a cloak and scythe for a black tank top and a spunky attitude — inspiring many young goths in the process. Christian Holub, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2022 His grandfather had cut hay by hand, using a scythe, and had driven a plow pulled by a team of horses. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 The only thing that could be simpler would be me out there swinging a scythe back and forth — or releasing a herd of sheep to crop at the blades of grass. John Kelly, Washington Post, 3 July 2022 Do not pick up the scythe even as Eris is yelling at you to do so. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 June 2022 Saul passes through its streets in a black cowl and a mask, looking like a scythe-less Grim Reaper. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Verb
Their manual shifters scythe through the gates without resistance, and their dual-clutch automatics are lightning quick yet also flawlessly behaved around town. Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 17 Nov. 2021 Larger-voltage mowers can even scythe through 8,000 to 10,000 square feet. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 14 Oct. 2021 Jones is as formidable as ever, and Vincent D’Onofrio gives a sombre and riveting portrayal of Jerry Falwell, the Baptist Savonarola, who doesn’t hesitate to scythe down the Bakkers for their sins. Anthony Lan, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2021 Many live in crowded, unsanitary camps, creating fears COVID-19 could scythe through a vulnerable population. Reuters, CNN, 6 Nov. 2020 Covid-19 continues to scythe through the halls of long-term care facilities despite an array of safety measures and bans on visitors, put in place months ago to slow the devastation. New York Times, 30 Oct. 2020 Things started rather nicely for the Red Devils as Caglar Soyuncu scythed down Rashford in the area, and the England international stepped up to fire home the resulting spot-kick... SI.com, 14 Sep. 2019 The virus is scything through its aged population and its hospitals are straining from a rush of patients. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 12 Mar. 2020 But its explosive power gives it the muscle of a gas-engine machine for mowing down the tall stuff and scything through weeds and saplings. Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, 18 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English sithe, from Old English sīthe; akin to Old English sagu saw — more at saw
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
circa 1580, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
scythe
noun
ˈsīt͟h
: a tool with a curved blade on a long curved handle that is used to mow grass or grain by hand