mow

MOW, noun A heap, mass or pile of hay deposited in a barn. [We never give this name to hay piled in the field or open air. The latter is called a stack or rick.] MOW, verb transitive To lay hay in a heap or mass in a barn, or to lay it in a suitable manner. MOW, verb transitive preterit tense mower; participle passive mowed or mown. [The Latin has meto, and the Gr. to mow or reap. The last radical letter is not ascertained.] 1. To cut down with a scythe, as grass or other plants. We say, to mow grass. 2. To cut the grass from; as, to mow a meadow. 3. To cut down with speed; to cut down indiscriminately, or in great numbers or quantity. We say, a discharge of grape shot mows down whole ranks of men. Hence Saturn or Time is represented with a scythe, an emblem of the general and indiscriminate destruction of the human race by death. MOW, verb intransitive To cut grass; to practice mowing; to use the scythe. Does the man mow well? 1. To perform the business of mowing; to cut and make grass into hay; to gather the crop of grass, or other crop. [In America, mow is not applied to the cutting of wheat or rye. When these are cut with a scythe, they are said to be cradled. Oats and barley are sometimes mowed.] MOW, noun [from mouth.] A wry face. MOW, verb intransitive To make mouths.